Snow in the forecast Thanksgiving weekend
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP news@leader-news.com

A white Christmas in Wharton may be a long shot this year, but snow for Thanksgiving is guaranteed.

The annual Cowboy Christmas, scheduled for Nov. 24-25 in downtown Wharton, will this year feature snow - courtesy of Houston based Ice Express. A snow "drift" will be set up next to the Gazebo on the courthouse lawn.

It's all in keeping with this year's more youthful focus, said organizer Doc Blakely.

"The emphasis is to have a Christmas for kids," he said.

That's despite the event taking place on Thanksgiving weekend. Blakely said it was intentionally set then so that families who were in Wharton for the holiday would have something special to attend together.

In addition to the snow, there will be live music, dancing performances, a fiddler's contest, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo clowns, face painters, dozens of vendors, gunfights by the Wharton County Timewalkers, and, of course, a visit by Santa.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will set up shop at the Gazebo from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

Free photos will be offered courtesy of Jack Mayes and his organization, whartontexaschristmas.com.

More than 20 vendors have already signed up to display a smorgasbord of wares around the square.

Booth spaces are still available, at a cost of $35 per spot. To register, visit: www.whartoncowboychristmas. com

Another big draw to the event is the Fiddler's Contest. Scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov., 24, it will be held inside Caney Creek Church on Milam Street. It's also the location where the entire festival will move in case of inclement weather.

As before, Cowboy Christmas will last most of the weekend, with a Cowboy Church scheduled for Sunday morning.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS

The tentative schedule is: Saturday, Nov. 24

• 9 a.m. - Vendors open their booths. That coincides with the Wharton County Farmer's Market, which features fresh produce and baked goods from area gardeners and farmers along Houston Street.

• 10 a.m. - Entertainment begins, with live music, roving musicians, dance performances, kids choirs and gunfights. Locations to check out the entertainment are in front of the Plaza Theatre, the Gazebo and inside Caney Creek Church.

• 1 p.m. - Performances begin by Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo clowns, face painters, ropers and a "melodrama" show.

• 2 p.m. - Snow "arrives" at the Gazebo.

• 2:30 p.m. - Registration begins for the Fiddler's Contest. A pet parade will also be held at the Gazebo.

• 3 p.m. - Fiddler's Contest starts. Prize money awarded. For information, visit: www.texasoldtimefiddlers.org

• 3:05 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Santa and Mrs. Claus set up at the Gazebo. Sunday, Nov. 25

• 9 a.m. - Cowboy Church begins. A breakfast of biscuits and gravy will be available courtesy of the Pierce Ranch Chuck Wagon.