An estimated 1,500 people watched Friday as 1,500 Christmas lights brightened the night and the spirits of those who came to celebrate the annual downtown holiday kickoff.
At 6:30 p.m., a switch was flipped and the downtown Christmas tree was lit, officially beginning the holiday season in New Braunfels.
Once the lights were on, Santa Claus made his way to the Main Plaza Bandstand to listen to the wishes of a line of children. The line of children and their parents wound out of the Bandstand and into the street.
Traffic was blocked off for the evening.
Because of the frigid and wet weather, the Comal Community Band played across the Plaza underneath the overhanging roof of the UPS Store.
Families gathered in the Santa line, around the Community Band, and across the street on various corners to get a better look at all the lights.
People came for varying reasons, but all said the feeling of community is what brings them back to the downtown lighting ceremony each year.
“It’s just a fun start to the holiday season,” said Nicole Cantu, who was on the plaza with her husband Jeremiah and their children, 6-year-old Jonas, 3-year-old Jonathan and toddler, Olivia.
“Plus it’s nice to run into friends that come, too,” Jeremiah Cantu said.
The Cantu family has come every year for the past few years. They, like most young families, start attending the ceremony as soon as their children are old enough to see Santa.
“Their aunt and I have taken the girls for several years,” said Tanya Morales, who brought her 8-year-old girls, Hailey and Briana.
“We would be first in line for Santa,” Morales said, but this year the girls were out of the Santa line, opting to socialize with hot chocolates in hand.
Mayor Bruce Boyer and Comal County Commissioner Jan Kennady gave the opening calls to turn on the lights and welcome everyone to the plaza.
“It is my pleasure to bring greetings from the entire Comal County family to your family,” she said.
Santa was escorted by the Fire Department to the Bandstand.
Some new community members have already made a tradition out of the downtown lighting.
“This is the second year we’ve been living here,” said Kathleen Wayland, who moved to New Braunfels with her family from Grapevine.
“I’m looking forward to the New Braunfels High School Steel Drum Band,” she said.
Her son, Evan Wayland, 7, was not in line for Santa, but did make an important connection to him.
“I got to see Santa up close and he gave me a high five.”
