Santa Claus Opens Christmas Season in Katy by Lighting the City’s Christmas Tree

By George Slaughter

Santa Claus poses with a youngster Thursday at City Hall – George Slaughter photo

Santa Claus lit the tree Thursday night at the city’s 47th annual Christmas tree lighting event at City Hall.

The crowd enjoyed terrific weather and performances from a choir from Katy Elementary School, 5728 George Bush Dr., and a dance team from Juleigh Holley’s School of Dance, 27025 Highway Blvd., in addition to hearing from Santa Claus.

In his welcoming remarks to a crowd of approximately 500 people, Mayor Bill Hastings made one request—“One time, every day, you do something nice, something kind, something unexpected for someone who would have never expected it. And if you do that, not only will we keep Christmas alive, but we’ll keep the spirit of this community alive, which has always been compassion, love, and standing together, and helping each other.”

Santa Claus read an abridged version of the Christmas classic, “The Night Before Christmas,” and spoke about the true spirit of Christmas.

“Remember, the true spirit of Christmas is to believe in making wishes and have faith that they come true,” Santa Claus said. “To believe that you can find some joy in everything you do. To believe in giving gladly for no reason, just because. To believe in love, that’s what it means to believe in me, Santa Claus.”

Santa Claus stayed after the ceremony to pose for pictures with children, along with some of their elders.

Santa Claus is expected to return to Katy for two events on Saturday. First is the Pancakes with Santa breakfast, which is being put on by the Katy Professional Fire Fighters Association. That event is set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Katy Fire Station, 1417 Avenue D. Cost is $5. The association uses the proceeds for a scholarship to send a Katy Independent School District student to the fire academy/EMT school or to paramedic school.

Second is the 10th Annual Katy Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival, which is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Katy. The event is free and features a beer garden, food trucks, and a snow park. Katy Market Day, Limited Edition Art & Antiques, and No Label Brewing Co. organized and are sponsoring the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit a local charity. For more information, see katymarketday.com.

“I hope all of you have a great, wonderful Christmas,” Hastings said. “God bless you all. Stay safe through the holiday season. Merry Christmas.”