DCA Carries Summer Momentum Into Busy Fall, Holiday Season

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT, Texas — Downtown Crockett’s holiday season is already taking shape, but Christmas lights are only one part of the Downtown Crockett Association’s plans for the months ahead.

At its Aug. 13 meeting, the DCA reviewed a full calendar of events designed to bring visitors to downtown Crockett and Houston County, while continuing work with local governments on improvements to the downtown district.

DCA President Susan Knox described the meeting as especially encouraging.

“The meeting was fabulous,” Knox said. “We had new faces, old faces — or veteran faces — and it was very, very positive.”

Knox said the energy created by the summer’s America 250 celebration is carrying into the fall and holiday season. The downtown Christmas lights will begin going up in October and are expected to be completed by the first weekend of November.

The county funds the lighting project, while DCA volunteers handle much of the work involved in getting the lights installed. Vice President Rebeca Huffman presented an updated map at the meeting, and DCA members are now checking with building owners to confirm that they still want lights placed on their rooftops.

“Santa doesn’t ask permission, but DCA does to get on your roof,” Knox said.

The DCA’s fall schedule begins with the Texas Decoy Show on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Crockett Civic Center. Knox said it is the only decoy show in Texas. Local carver Pip Gillette is credited with helping bring the event to Crockett, and carvers from across the country are expected to participate.

The event could appeal to both carving enthusiasts and duck hunters, Knox said.

November will bring the World Championship Fiddlers’ Festival on Nov. 13-14. DCA is serving as the event’s umbrella organization for the second consecutive year, with activities again planned at the Ritz.

The festival will feature a headliner show Friday night, followed by the fiddlers’ competition Saturday. Wade Thomas is chairing the festival committee. Knox said the name of the headliner is being kept under wraps for now but promised the group is well known.

The DCA’s popular Holiday Tour of Homes is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 4 p.m. The tour will include 10 stops featuring historic homes, private residences and renovated buildings.

The tour will include the depot, the log cabin, historic homes and the Ritz. By popular demand, the First United Methodist Church will again be open, with its historic organ played throughout the afternoon. The First Presbyterian Church will open its Family Life Center as the welcome center for the tour.

Knox said the event continues to attract visitors from outside the area, including groups who travel to Crockett specifically to enjoy historic homes and holiday decorations.

Looking farther ahead, DCA members have already begun preliminary planning for Camp Street Blues ’27, scheduled for April 16-17, 2027.

Knox said Brian Lake is working to bring recognized blues performers to Crockett, and organizers plan to once again pair major headliners with talented blues musicians. She also expects the gospel blues choir that was so well received during the previous festival to return.

In addition to the larger events, DCA continues to promote Sip and Shop on the third Saturday of each month. Individual businesses choose their own specials, refreshments and activities, while DCA promotes the event through social media.

Knox said she hopes more downtown businesses will participate as the monthly event continues to grow.

The DCA’s work extends beyond events. Knox said the organization continues to work with the city and county on projects intended to improve downtown Crockett, including a possible grant for sidewalk improvements and parking enhancements along Goliad Avenue.

The goal, she said, is to make downtown more attractive and bring more people into the community.

“If you bring people into a town, they will spend money, and that money gets tax revenue for the city and the county,” Knox said.

She also said DCA’s volunteer base is growing beyond business owners. Some volunteers own downtown buildings but do not operate businesses there. They are contributing their time because they want to see Crockett succeed.

“We have people who are volunteering now who own a building and do not own a business,” Knox said. “They love Crockett, and they want to see it thrive, and they’re giving their time and talent to this little town.”

Anyone interested in helping with the DCA’s events or downtown projects is encouraged to contact Knox, Huffman, Thomas, Gloria Miles or another DCA officer.

Knox said the organization recently heard from a community member who had been watching its work and wanted to know how to become involved.

“That’s what you want to see,” she said.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]