With the holidays every December comes the San Marcos Sights and Sounds of Christmas, which fills the Square with sensations for all the senses. Our team has your ticket to what to see, hear…even smell!
Story by Rikki Yanez
Walking though Sights and Sounds you’ll hear laughter of the people, smell the sweet aromas of kettle popcorn, see the diverse colors of lights on the snow man shaped decorations, as well as, the rows of lights above the bridge that extends over the San Marcos River.
This Christmas celebration is fun filled event with attractions that includes pony rides for the kids, and carnival rides such as the Ferris Wheel. The festival also includes an area that shows the Town of Bethlehem, as well as a petting zoo. People can also take photos with Santa for free, as well as do arts and crafts. The festival also includes live music, food trucks and gift shops for those looking to buy a special gift for a special someone.
Sights and Sounds will host an annual 5K Jingle Bell Run and a Kids 1K, which is set to take place on Saturday, December 9th at 9 a.m. and have a Military Appreciation Night on December 7th.
The festival’s first weekend started Wednesday, November 29th through Saturday, December 2nd and Wednesday, December 6th through December 9th. Sights and Sounds is open from 5 p.m. through 11 p.m. To enter a ticket is required, which prices range about $5 for a nightly entry and an eight-day pass for $15, however, children 12 and under get in for free. The Christmas festival is located on 401 East Hopkins St. near San Marcos Lion’s Club Tube Rental.
Local, Blake Dixon said, for him Sights and Sounds is a nice little event that San Marcos does every year. When asked what made him want to come to sights and sounds he simply said, “Because I had nothing better to do.” However, Dixon said he thinks Sights and Sounds is a good place for families to go to during the holidays or a great place to take someone on a date.
This year is Sights and Sounds’ 31st annual Christmas celebration held in San Marcos, which is sponsored by Central Texas Medical Center, San Marcos Toyota, and newest sponsor TRACE. Many non-profit organizations attended Sights and Sounds to help promote their business, as well as students from Texas State University volunteering to help make this event happen.
According to Jessica Ramos, Gift Shop Coordinator and on the Board of Directors, one lady came all the way from Hatti. Ramos stated one lady she recruited, who also happens to be a Texas State University graduate, works for a business that employs patent women, and they make all handmade items. Many of the vendor at the gift shop were from the Austin area and from Wimberley’s Market Days, said Ramos.
However, it takes a lot of planning setting up for Sights and Sounds. Ramos works year-round going to events and picking up business cards of the people she likes, and contacts her vendors about what they would like to see differently than last year. Ramos said, it took a lot of planning getting them all paid and organized, “I start taking payments from July till now.
To add to the fun-filled night of Sights and Sounds the Texas State Astronomy Club was asked to attend the Christmas festival. Austin Spencer, member of the club at Texas State University, set up a telescope facing in the direction of the moon as well as, having another set up showing off how gravity works in space for the kids. According to Spencer many people liked the attraction, “I had about 20 to 30 people so far.” “Many people get excited when they look through the telescope and they can’t believe that’s what the moon looks like up close and detailed,” said Spencer. Spencer really enjoyed volunteering with Sights and Sounds and hopes the Astronomy Club will be able to attend the event again.
