Lone Star Travelers Blog

Ride the North Pole Express from the Grapevine Texas Depot to the Fort Worth Stockyards beginning on Friday, December 5th, 2008 and continuing through December 21st, 2008.  You will board at the Grapevine Texas depot merrily decked out with sparkling Christmas lights and enjoy a 35 minute live sing-a-long show before boarding the train to Fort Worth Texas.  Once on board there will be more Christmas caroling, story time and a visit from Santa.  All tickets are $16 with children under the age of 2 years free of charge.  Free parking is available at the Grapevine Texas Depot or take advantage of the free shuttle from the Grapevine Texas Convention Center.  817-410-3123  gvrr.com

On Sunday December 14th, 2008 Christmas in the Pines features Christmas cookie decorating, Christmas ornament decorating as well as pine cone and clay crafts to put you in the holiday mood.  Hosted by The Friends of the Lost Pines at Bastrop State Park from 1PM-6PM, there will also be a story corner and a visit from Santa from 330PM-530PM.  Come out with the family and enjoy the activities and refreshments.  The fee for this Christmas event is $2 per adult with children under 12 years of age free of charge.  Bastrop State Park is in the Prairies and Lakes Region.  512-321-2101

The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas steps out into the historic district of Grapevine Texas on Thursday December 4th, 2008 at 7PM.  The parade of lights showcases over 100 dazzling floats accompanied by holiday music as the many marching bands pass by.  The parade of lights begins at Main and Vine Streets before it heads north on Main Street to Wall Street.  There is plenty of free parking available in the downtown vicinity.  On Saturday December 6th, 2008 as the sun sinks over Grapevine Lake the lighted boat parade begins it’s merry jaunt across the water from Scott’s Landing to Little Pete’s.  The floating flotilla may be viewed from any of the lake’s parks.  Grapevine Texas is located in Tarrant County and is a suburb of both Fort Worth and Dallas Texas.  The city of Grapevine Texas lies adjacent to Grapevine Lake, a large reservoir impounded by the Corps of Engineers in 1952.  www.grapevinetexasusa.com

The City of Irving kicks off the holiday season with a Christmas Parade on Saturday December 6th, 2008 at 4PM.  The parade winds through the Irving Heritage District and on down to Irving City Hall at 825 W. Irving Blvd for the 6PM tree lighting ceremony.  The Irving Symphonic Band will entertain as well as local dance groups.  There will be a petting zoo for the kids, outdoor games and food and fun for all.  The evening wraps up with a fireworks show indicating the Christmas season is in full swing.  www.cityofirving.org

On Saturday November 29th, 2008 from 330PM-730PM the Fanthorp Inn Historic Site invites you to their holiday event Twilight Firelight.  Come out and visit the 1850’s stagecoach inn as it comes to life with music, poetry and living history.  Ride the stagecoach and wagon from the historic Grimes County Courthouse to the welcoming lanterns of the inn decked out in festive holiday garb.  The Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site is in Grimes County 30 miles southeast of Bryan College Station in the small town of Anderson Texas.  It is located in the Prairies and Lakes Region.