Hometown Christmas Set For Really Big Day!

Denise Bell
FHTC Committee Co-Chair

November 24, 2008

Thanksgiving arrives this week, and shortly thereafter Forney will officially open its Christmas season by hosting Forney’s Hometown Christmas.

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, FHTC 2008 is totally and officially set to turn Saturday, December 6th into a fun filled community spirited day, complete with all the joy and laughter that Christmas can bring.

For the first time in FHTC history, Main Street and its adjacent festival grounds will be closed to thru traffic starting Friday evening at approximately 6:00 p. m., giving event organizers, city workers, and contracted vendors much needed time in which to assemble the many attractions provided.

Traffic on Bois d’Arc will not be affected on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, and festival parking will be available along Bois d’Arc, behind City Hall and in the city’s parking lot, directly under the Forney Jack Rabbit.

Festival guests are encouraged to use the FREE Shuttle Bus Service being provided at First Baptist Church, on FM 740, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and running continuously throughout the day.

Due to festival growth and the increase in yearly attendance, event organizers have stretched to make use of all accessible downtown property.

Receiving support from Kaufman County officials, organizers opted to use the county’s lot located next to the Forney Sub-Courthouse, to relocate the Hometown Christmas Main Stage in order to more easily accommodate large entertainment acts.

A large red and white stripped tent will be erected in front of this stage to provide sheltered seating for guests interested in watching the numerous dance groups, cheerleaders, and choirs that have been booked to provide live entertainment.

The Hometown Christmas Parade will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m., and proceed north down historic Center Street heralded by the Forney Fire Department, then turn left on Main Street proceeding toward Chestnut Street.

Santa Clause will arrive via the parade and stop on Center Street alongside the Main Stage. He will then be escorted onto the Main Stage and be given the Key to the City as part of FHTC Opening Ceremonies.

Parade watchers are invited to stand or sit along Center Street since vehicle parking will not be allowed along the street throughout the day.

Festival guests are reminded to be respectful of personal property along the historic street and to collect parade candy or trash as they leave the area.

Staging for parade entries will begin at 8:30 a.m. and any person, business, or club interested in parade participation is encouraged to immediately contact Skip Weatherford at skip2008@live.com. Entry slots for the parade are becoming limited and entries will no longer be accepted after Monday, December 1st.

A slightly smaller stage will be located, as usual, on Main Street in front of City Hall.

Performing live from this stage beginning at 11:00 a.m., will be the highly acclaimed Country & Western band, Sundown, as well as scheduled appearances by Mrs. Clause and George the Magician.

FHTC 2008 has already broken its first record by receiving booth commitments from a record number of retail and craft vendors. Having sold out of booth space well over a month ago, in excess of 80 profit and non-profit vendors and 20 restaurants or caterers have committed to participation.

The Main Street Food Court has also been relocated, and can now be found just inside the Front Street festival entrance. It too will have a large red and white stripped tent with ample seating and will offer a large array of interesting foods to festival attendees.

Several local favorites including 4-T Barbeque and Overtime Sports Café are joining new vendors to provide Cajun sausage-on-a-stick, catfish, shrimp, hot wings, funnel cakes, and more.

Forney residents are invited to watch for the official appearance of the extra large, Hometown Christmas Bunny Banner.

Scheduled to be affixed to the Hawthorn Building located on South Bois d’Arc at the entrance to historic downtown Forney this coming Wednesday, the banner will hang throughout the Thanksgiving holiday and until after the festival, as the official invitation to all to join our community in celebration of the upcoming Christmas holiday.

FHTC 2008 is a totally non-profit, community inspired event that is organized and financially supported through the generous sponsorships of the members of the Forney Chamber of Commerce, in combination with the financial assistance and infrastructure support of the City of Forney and the Forney City Council.

For more information or to contact event organizers please visit www.forneyhometownchristmas.com.