Holiday celebration set for this weekend

Clarendon begins the holiday season in style this weekend as the first Donley County Old Fashioned Christmas celebration gets underway.

The first night of Late Night Shopping kicks off the festivities on Thursday with the downtown businesses staying open until 9:00 p.m. Residents will also get their first peek at the decorated trees that will be auctioned Saturday afternoon. The trees will be viewed at the Downtown Ministry Center from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Girl Scouts will light the tree at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the Lions Club. Their annual display which is usually on the Square has been moved to the Lions Club due to the renovation of the Courthouse.

Residents all over the county are also encouraged to light up their houses Friday evening for a grand tour for everyone to enjoy.

Eads Furniture & Appliance will begin the activities on Saturday with a Quilt Show beginning at 8:30 a.m. A variety of beautiful quilts will be on display all day until 5:30 p.m.

The Community Fellowship Church will hold their Breakfast with an Angel from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Panhandle Community Services Building.

Adults and children are invited to enjoy breakfast foods, sing songs, and hear the Christmas Story told by the angel. The children will be able to make an angel craft and celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a special angel cookie.

The fourth annual Country Christmas Extravaganza craft show will begin at 9:30 that morning at both the Lions Club and Rebecca Lodge. Many area merchants will display their wares, and concessions will be provided.

The Burton Memorial Library will conduct a Book Sale from 9:00 to 1:00 on Saturday and will be serving hot chocolate. Gail Shelton, local author, will also be signing her latest book.

As the local merchants open their doors at 10:00 a.m. that morning, many activities get underway in the Downtown Ministries Center. The Art Club will hold a Cake Walk, and kids can make Christmas crafts. The First Baptist Church will begin their Bake Sale.

Local organizations and businesses have been busy all week decorating trees for the Tree Auction. Viewing and bidding for the silent auction will begin at 10 a.m. with the winners announced at 4 p.m. in the center. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit each organization or for businesses to use or donate at their discretion.

Santa Claus will make his annual appearance at the library from 10:00 to noon on Saturday. Kids can have their picture made with Santa at that time. Cost is $2 per photo, and proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library.

The Texas Loft Art Exhibit will also open its doors at 10:00 a.m. The show will feature local artists and will be open until 2:00 p.m. The Texas Loft is located at 107 2nd Street in the upstairs of the old Bivens Building.

The Clarendon PTA will be serving lunch and refreshments at the Downtown Ministry Center from 10:00 to 4:00. They will serve your choice of a barbecue sandwich with chips or a bowl of delicious chili and crackers, a drink, and a homemade dessert for $4.50 per serving. 

The Donley County-Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and the Donley County Tourism Council will hold an Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Register to win a $25 gift certificate redeemable at any chamber member business. Drawings begin at 11 a.m. and will be held every hour on the hour. Medical Center Nursing Home Recipes and Remembrances Cookbooks will be available for sale at the chamber office.

Ten churches and four homes will be featured this year during the Tour of Churches and Tour of Homes Saturday.

The Tour of Churches will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 2:00 p.m.. The Tour of Homes will be open from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Maps for each tour will be available at Burton Memorial Library, the Downtown Ministry Center, or at the craft show. There is no charge for the tours.

Several local businesses around town will be holding Open Houses and in-store specials for this weekend. Residents are urged to support their local businesses by shopping at home.

KEFH-FM will host a live remote broadcast throughout the day from Eads Furniture & Appliance. Joburta Helms will present a special program at 3:30 at the Downtown Ministry Center.

Residents of Donley County are urged to light up again on Saturday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. for everyone to enjoy. 

The Donley County VFW Post will hold a special bingo Saturday night beginning at 7:00 in the VFW Hall. Special prizes will be awarded if 50 entry packs are sold. Kids will be permitted to play with their parent. Concessions will also be available.

You could win $5,000 at the annual Saints’ Roost Museum Christmas Party if your ticket is the last one drawn that night. The party begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Tickets are $50 per couple and are available at Henson’s or from any museum board member.