Scots, Strolls... Salado!

by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy of Salado Chamber of Commerce and Salado Museum.

In 2016, a major project on IH-35 threatened the small, historic town of Salado just north of Jarrell, endangering local businesses with the construction that made it no easy feat to get into town. “Salado bounced back and has grown exponentially in the last five years,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Organ says. “We get calls from people who haven’t been to Salado in a long time, wondering how the town is doing. It’s doing well, you should come check it out.”

Each holiday season, thousands of visitors do just that during the Scottish Gathering and Highland Games as well as a Stroll that lights up the town with the sights and sounds of Christmas.

SCOTTISH GATHERING

The Scottish Gathering has been, literally, strong for 62 years, but organizers have only recently been able to get the message out that the festival of learning and fun is open to everyone, no matter their ethnicity. "Come to the 62nd Scottish Gathering and Highland Games in Salado, Texas and step back in time to the world of ancient Scotland," says Lynette McCain-Jones, executive director of the Salado Museum and College Park. "Listen to the skirl of bagpipes and voices raised in ancient Scottish song. See men in kilts, the famous Caber Toss, and all the pageantry of Scotland."

From November 10-12, the celebration of all things Scottish will feature a Calling of the Clans torchlight ceremony, highland games, music and dancing, Celtic vendors, a Scottish dog parade and costume contest, a Bonniest Knees contest, and clans from all over the U.S. who will enlighten listeners on Scottish history and genealogy.

Scan the code or visit saladomuseum.org for the events schedule and ticket information. Ticket proceeds will support the Salado Museum and College Park.

CHRISTMAS STROLL

Carolers, a holiday parade, horse-drawn carriage rides down Main Street each year Salado transforms into a Hallmark town. Save the date for the 63rd Salado Christmas Stroll December 1-3 and 8-10. “We’re delighted to host thousands of people in the little town of Salado every weekend,” Amanda says.

A lighted Christmas parade will kick off the festivities at 6pm on November 30, followed by two weekend strolls during which visitors can enjoy pictures with Santa, food trucks, caroling, trolley and carriage rides, a live nativity, and performances of A Christmas Carol at the Table Rock Amphitheatre. While the Stroll is a fun event for locals and newcomers alike, it’s also a way to support Salado’s businesses, which will be open late for Christmas shoppers. “It’s kind of their make-or-break time of year,” Amanda says. For that reason, only Salado-based vendors will be featured throughout the Stroll. “It’s truly a community event.”

VisitSaladoTexas.com to learn more about the Stroll and the Salado Chamber of Commerce’s events.

The quaint little town of Salado is home to around 30 historic sites from the museum that celebrates Salado’s Scottish heritage to the ruins of the first co-educational college in Texas.

After burning down three times, the Salado College site now serves as a venue for bridal showers, weddings, military ceremonies, even an equestrian photoshoot and many other events.

Plus, despite Salado’s exponential growth in the last few years, the stores on Main Street have remained the same, creaky wood floors and all. “It’s not like going into a strip mall. It’s unique,” Amanda says.