November 22nd, 2010
Sights and Sounds kicks off Dec. 1

STAFF REPORTS

Sights and Sounds of Christmas will be held Dec. 1-4.

For the first time, the event will last four full days, instead of three, at San Marcos Plaza, 401 E Hopkins. The event is expected to host a crowd of an estimated 35,000 spectators. Participants in the festivities can expect to see games, rides, an arts and crafts section and witness the main attraction: thousand of lights along the San Marcos River.

Food vendors will be on-site to provide typical favorites and carnival rides will also provide entertainment for children and adults. Other traditional Christmas classics such as the live nativity scene will be complete with farm animals and towns people as they reenact Old Bethlehem. Music performances, rock wall climbing and a model train exhibit will also be included in this year’s lineup of activities.

Perhaps the most exciting venture for 2010’s Sights and Sounds event will be the unique form of transportation that will bring Santa to the event. Each night, Santa will arrive either by a classic car motorcade, a Harley motorcycle, fire engine and helicopter. Santa will be available at 6 p.m. to visit with children and to take photos. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, Santa will begin the evening by arriving by helicopter in San Marcos Plaza Park.

Sights and Sounds is open to the general public. Children within the ages of 10 years old and under are free while daily admission is $4. A four day Fast Pass is available for $10. Fast Passes are available for purchase at the San Marcos Activity Center, Premier Cuts as well as the San Marcos Park and Recreation Office. Gates will open daily at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.Sights-n-Sounds.org or call (512) 393-8400.

The annual Sights and Sounds Gala will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in San Marcos. The Sights and Sounds 5K Run and Walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 in San Marcos Plaza Park.