Christmas at the Creamery on Main

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – The weather outside was indeed frightful, but the community spirit inside the Creamery on Main Street was very delightful as the Grapeland Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Christmas at the Creamery on Main event held on Thursday, Dec. 8.

With temperatures expected to be at or near the freezing mark, the Chamber had decided to move event inside to accommodate those who might not otherwise have ventured out on a frigid December night.

The Creamery was converted into an assembly hall earlier in the day and decorated with Christmas ornaments, tinsel and holiday adornments to help put local attendees into the Christmas spirit.

As the doors opened for the Christmas celebration shortly before 6 p.m., the attendees were treated to the musical stylings of students from Grapeland Elementary School. The young songbirds performed several Christmas Carols to the delight of the near capacity crowd and sounded as if they had been rehearsing for months instead of days.

While the students were wrapping up their performance, a visitor from the North Pole arrived and set up shop in the community room of Grapeland State Bank. Word of the jolly old elf’s arrival began to spread like wildfire throughout the restaurant and a line quickly formed outside for a chance to visit with Santa Claus.

The elementary students’ performance was followed by the Mighty Wind Machine as the Grapeland Jr. High and High School Band performed a medley of Christmas songs and holiday favorites.

As the band played, attendees strolled around the Creamery sampling various holiday treats prepared by several of the community organizations. Several churches had booths set up and they were joined by the Grapeland Noon Lions Club, Prosperity Bank and Treasures, Etc., among others.

Outside, a tent had been set up and designated as Santa’s Helper Activity Tent. Inside the tent area, activities for young and old alike were set up. Games and activities including a Jingle Bell toss were underway as the younger crowd waited on a chance to take a ride on Grapeland’s very own version of the “Polar Express.”™

A miniature train rolled through the streets of Grapeland as it took the little ones on a ride through the downtown area to look at the various Christmas lights and decorations local merchants had set up.

The event was well received by everyone in attendance and while the schedule called for the event to end at 8 p.m., many of those who were there remarked they didn’t want the night to end and looked forward to next year’s event.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].