The themes have been set, and dates finalized for Christmas at Old Fort Concho, and according to organizers, the rendezvous crowd and chuckwagon gangs will soon be heading our way.
In what has become the surest sign that the season truly is upon us, the crew at Fort Concho treated reporters to light refreshments, and an advance look at what they have in store for this year’s celebration.
Site Director Robert Bluthardt welcomed everyone to Officers Quarters No. 8 at the National Historic Landmark site Thursday morning, introducing the volunteers to talk about their special areas, and what visitors can expect.
Helen Wilde with the San Angelo Lions Clubs said her group will be ready to serve once again, starting Saturday’s festivities off with the “Pancakes With Santa” event in the Fort Concho Stables.
Marshal Cactus Jack Smith said the award-winning gunslingers of the Concho Cowboy Company have plenty of fun putting on their performances at Fort Concho each year, and they will be staging three family-friendly shows, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and again at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Fort Concho Board Secretary Tommy Earnest gave everyone the scoop on chuckwagons, and the meals slated for the weekend, and he also alluded to an upcoming chuckwagon-focused event in the spring, promising more details at a later time.
Gerri Petrella and Diane Wilcox talked about Santa’s House and the ever-popular Festival of Trees.
Last, but not least, Julie Quam talked about a special theme for this year’s Gingerbread House competition and Decorated Cookie Contest.
Gingerbread houses will be judged in two categories this year, in a traditional house contest and a contest themed on favorite holiday books, movies or songs.
And remember: everything has to be edible! — no wires or rods.
For all of these competitions, children will be judged in several age groups, with a single adult group for solo entries, and there are categories for group entries as well.
Each contest has it’s own rules and registration, which can be found on the Fort Concho website.
As usual, this year’s event will spread 20 hours of fun across three days in early December, when the oldest address in San Angelo marks its establishment, which took place on Dec. 4, 1867.
There will be something entertaining or interesting just about everywhere you look, with period-correct bands, Native American dancers and a rope-trick performer, in addition to the Winter Rendezvous on the Parade Ground.
Other attractions include:
SANTA’S HOUSE
Visitors can join Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Headquarters Building, where they will see “A Festival of Trees” exhibit, and children will receive a special treat.
For a small fee, young attendees can also have their photos taken with Santa.
SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA
Some of the most unique gifts imaginable will be on sale in several of the buildings along Officers’ Row, Barracks Row and the Commissary, including one-of-a-kind creations by some finest artisans from the Lone Star State and beyond.
The Sweet Song String Band will play musical selections from another century beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
In the Chapel, sounds of old-fashioned Christmas will be heard courtesy of local church choirs, and on Sunday, a Mass will be held at 10 a.m. with Rev. Hicks.
SATURDAY
San Angelo’s Lions Clubs present “Pancakes With Santa” from 7:30 to 11 a.m. with their annual breakfast served in the Fort Concho Stables.
Cost of the breakfast alone is $10, or $16 for the meal and daily admission to the site.
Children 4-years and younger eat for free.
After working up a good appetite sightseeing and shopping, attendees can catch a frontier lunch at the Cowboy Chuck Wagon Camp, where they will be serving a meal of stew, cornbread, cobbler and coffee from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets for this event are priced at $20 per person, and the camps will be open for inspection on Friday and Saturday until early afternoon.
BASEBALL
On Saturday afternoon, the Fort Concho Enterprise baseball team will take the field to demonstrate old-time ball, just like it was originally played at the fort.
SUNDAY
Cowboy Chuckwagon Breakfast and Service
On Sunday morning, a classic chuckwagon breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, fried potatoes and coffee will be served from 9-10 a.m. in the Stables with an old-fashioned church service slated to follow.
The cost of the meal is $12, but there is no charge to attend the service.
Schedule for this year is:
Friday, Dec. 5 from 3-8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
And Sunday Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DAILY ADMISSION
Admission prices are $9 for adults, and $7 for Seniors or Military. Children between 7 and 17 years old get in for $3.
WEEKEND PASSES
Priced at $18 for adults, and $14 for Seniors or Military. Children between 7 and 17 years old pay $6.
Children 6-years and younger get in free.
