Downtown Whitney will be filled with Christmas activity Saturday, December 13 as the Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Grinch Fest, culminating in the evening’s Christmas parade and tree lighting.
The day will begin with the Grinch Gallop 5k at 8 a.m. The run will start at Whitney Elementary School and end at the downtown festival. Registrations are now available for this event at a cost of $40 by visiting runsignup.com.
Vendors will open downtown at 10 a.m., and “WhoVille” will also open at 10 a.m. with games for children, a cake walk and other activities. The Grinch will also be on site for photos and visiting.
Children can participate in cookie decorating and writing letters to Santa at noon in front of 2415 Realty.
Santa will be set up inside 2415 Realty starting at 2 p.m.
Free train rides will be offered from noon to 5 p.m. Pickup will be at the silos on Polk Street, and the train will operate every hour on the hour. The last ride starts at 5 p.m.
Music will begin at noon, and the Whitney ISD Royelles will perform at 1 p.m.
The Hill County Lake Whitney Lions Club will operate a dunking booth from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Three balls will be $5. Some of the brave people consenting to be dunked include Whitney Mayor Janice Sanders, City Council member Amy Teal, Hill County Lake Whitney Lions Club President Liz Schneider, Pastor Joe Castillo from Home Church and others. Follow the Hill County Lake Whitney Lions Club’s Facebook page for updates.
The evening’s parade will begin at dark, approximately 6 p.m. The downtown tree lighting will follow.
The parade route will start near Whitney Intermediate School and head north on San Jacinto, left on Washington, left on San Marcos, left on Cleveland and then right on San Jacinto back to the starting point.
For more information, contact the Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce at 254-625-2387.
