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(Continued from Page 2) plish one of its main goals. “A big part of Sights & Sounds that is often forgotten is the opportunity for non-profits organizations to make money,” president of Sights & Sounds Brian Olson said. “Last year they raised over $50,000. This year our goal is $70,000 for non-profits to raise at our events. This is all about the community, and we are continuously looking for more non-profits to join in.” As always, the Christmas tree made of about 40,000 lights will be on display along with more than one million lights throughout the park. Many of the old traditions are alive and well. The festival food will still be top-notch, but the kids’ arts and crafts are getting a new twist. This year, children will be able to make Christmas ornaments as well. A petting zoo that is normally reserved for the likes of the San Antonio Rodeo will also be in the park and nightly laser shows will light up the sky. Tourists won’t be the only people staying in town. Santa and Mrs. Claus will hunker down in San Marcos for the weekend, and Santa will be on hand for free pictures all four nights of Sights & Sounds. Wednesday evening, he won’t need his reindeer as he’ll be flown in by helicopter. On Thursday it’s a ride in on a Harley Davidson, and on Friday, Dick’s Classic Car Garage will help Santa arrive in style in one of his antique cars, and on Saturday he will make an entrance in true San Marcos fashion by floating down the river in a boat. All appearances will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday is the final day of the festival starting with a 5K and 1K kids’ run at 9 a.m., followed by a parade through downtown San Marcos at 10 a.m. Finally, a special guest community artist will join in to play some music from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
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Friday
5:30 p.m. — First and Second Step School 6 p.m. — Goodnight Women’s Choir 6:30 p.m. — Travis Elementary 2nd and 3rd Grade 7:00 p.m. — Hill Country Youth Chorus 7:25 p.m. — Laser Show 7:40 p.m. — San Marcos High School Jazz Band 8:15 p.m. — Laser Show 8:25 p.m. — Orchestra Cascabel San Marcos High School Salsa Band 8:55 p.m. — Laser Show 9:20 p.m. — Carolyn Wonderland and Guy Forsyth 10 p.m. — Laser Show 10:20 p.m. — Carolyn Wonderland and Guy Forsyth
Saturday
9 a.m. — Sights and Sounds 5K and 1K kids’ run 10 a.m. — Sights and Sounds parade, downtown San Marcos 5:30 p.m. — San Marcos Dance Studio 6:10 p.m. — Joe McDermott 7:10 p.m. — Laser Show 7:25 p.m. — Heart of Texas Chorus 8:05 p.m. — San Marcos High School Orchestra 8:50 p.m. — Laser Show 9:05 p.m. — SMART Orchestra 9:45 p.m. — Laser Show 10:05 p.m. — Chubby Knuckle Choir All performances subject to change.
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New course for Sights & Sounds 5K, 1K kids’ run The Sights & Sounds of Christmas 5K & Children’s 1K Reindeer Dash and the Seton Sights & Sounds of Christmas 5K and 1K Kids’ Fun Run will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. Due to the growing popularity and size of the race, this year’s race features a new course that will showcase the beautiful downtown and historic district of San Marcos. The course is mostly flat with some gentle slopes and one small grade hill. The race will begin and finish at the San Marcos Plaza Park. Chip timing will be used.
Every 5K entrant will receive a technical T-shirt (technical shirts guaranteed to all who pre-register) while the 1K participants will be given a cotton T-shirt and a ribbon for participating in the race. The awards ceremony will follow the completion of the 1K race with the overall 5K male and female winners receiving a $100 gift card to Core Running towards a pair of shoes and a unique Santa trophy to top finishers in each five-year age group. Cost for the Kids Reindeer Dash is $10 and $25 for the 5K before Dec. 5 and $5 afterwards.
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