“We have had so many families reach out in excitement as this is their Christmas tradition.”Īnother part of the 5K run event is the Best Santa Award which is given to runners and race coordinators. “Just being able to get the community back out for this festive run again is really exciting,” Worthington said. Matthew Worthington, a committee member for Santa’s Jingle Bell 5K Run, said he expects over 1,000 runners this year. This year the 5K run will start at 9 a.m. The run includes a kids’ version called the Kids K which runs through the Sights & Sounds Festival and a general race that runs through San Marcos’ historic district and downtown. Members of the Sights & Sounds Foundation ensure that every aspect of the festival runs smoothly, including Santa’s Jingle Bell 5K Run, a race established over a decade ago by Brian Olson, the past Sights & Sounds president. With the start of the festival just days away, the foundation is hoping to help these vendors earn more money after last year’s setback. Many of these vendors have been struggling due to the significant loss of income after being unable to raise money last year. The various nonprofits work as vendors for the event by selling funnel cake, kettle corn, hot chocolate and more. The foundation helps other local nonprofit organizations raise money and has raised over $300,000 in the last three years. The Sights & Sounds Foundation is a charity dedicated to planning and executing the Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival in San Marcos every year. So, it’s just been a little bit different.” We have changed a few things over the years just to better suit the community and what was going to bring out more donations for the nonprofits that work for us. “We have seen some deficiency in some areas, not so much in others. “It’s a little rough coming back after that whole year sabbatical,” Cruz Hidrogo said. The festival is looking for volunteers and vendors now more than ever to help fill in the missing gaps. We are very excited to bring the festival back this year.”Ĭlaudia Cruz Hidrogo, the festival’s volunteer coordinator, said there have been some setbacks during this year’s planning. “With the support of the City of San Marcos and our sponsors we were able to decorate the park but did not have the opportunity to host the event in its normal capacity. “Unfortunately, we were unable to host the festival last year,” Marler said. She said she’s excited to see the community come together again in person after the festival was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Since then, she has served as the volunteer coordinator and secretary and now continues to serve as a board member by assisting with general management. 9-11 from 5:30-11 p.m.Ĭatherine Marler, a Sights & Sounds board member, first volunteered for the event when she was a student at Texas State. This year the festival will take place Dec. The Sights & Sounds Festival was founded in 1987 and has since then strived to provide holiday festivities to San Marcos and the surrounding community. This year, the Jingle Bell Run has partnered with For the Love of Go, and is anticipating having the biggest turnout in its history with over 1,100 runners already signed up.The holiday spirit is returning to San Marcos’ City Park this December with carnival games, a petting zoo and a holiday trail as the city prepares to celebrate the winter season at the annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival. On December 11, the Jingle Bell 5K Run will take place at 9 a.m. The Sights and Sounds Festival takes place the first two weekends of December and includes a petting zoo, live performances, Santa’s Gift Shop, food court and scavenger hunt along with other attractions. Photo by Sierra Martin.Īlong with the Christmas decorations throughout the park, the carnival rides were illuminated and operating to give those attending a sneak peak into the weekend ahead. Family enjoying the carnival rides at Sights and Sounds. Illumination IQ and Decor IQ assisted in decorating the park, providing the lights that adorned the trees and open spaces throughout the park. the City Park transformed into a Christmas wonderland as Santa Clause himself turned the lights on. Live music was provided by the Time of Nights Brass Band, and at 8 p.m. The mayor of San Marcos, city council members, business owners and members of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce were among those in attendance.Ĭody’s Restaurant, Bar and Patio catered food and drinks as people throughout the community gathered to celebrate the hard work and dedication that went into making the festival possible. Sights and Sounds President David Case and Santa Clause lighting the City Park for the festival. SAN MARCOS – Sights and Sounds Christmas festival held their annual tree lighting ceremony to mark the beginning of the two weekends of family fun and holiday cheer.
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