Families flocked to Downtown Pilot Point on Saturday to enjoy Christmas on the Square, where the businesses and vendors were ready to help and entertain the visitors.
Notoriously Yours again sponsored a Cindy Lou Who hair contest, with the Purple Door offering free Whoville hairdos before the crowd voted for their favorites.
'We need all the contestants up here so we can introduce you,' contest announcer Tasha Abbott said. 'Oh, we have a few more. Yay!'
The contestants, ranging in age from 5 to in their 20s, drew cheers and excitement from the crowd, with Ellie earning the most support.
'OK, that was obvious!' she said. Kelsey Whitesell Talley and Co Real Estate also offered free hot cocoa with marshmallows outside the Martin General Store and they did a giveaway donated by Chicago Title’s Andrea Tigner, as well.
Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Evon Lusk spoke of her love for the event.
'To continue having Christmas on the Square in Pilot Point means everything,' she said. 'Looking around, seeing everybody festive and enjoying each other's company— I'm looking to my left and I see these kiddos for the fourth year in the row creating these cookies with their families, and it … means a lot.'
She loves seeing the event grow. 'It means a lot to our businesses and our community,' Lusk said. 'It helps us thrive.'
Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club President-Elect Brian Murrell loved having the chance to help spread awareness of the organization.
'We give away scholarships, two to Aubrey and two to Pilot Point graduates,' he said. 'For elementary school students, we give them dictionaries. We just help the com- munity out with ShelterBox, Lovepacs, things like that.'
Murrell also serves on the Pilot Point City Council and he said he valued the opportunity for 'engaging with the community.'
Kari Smith with Milk and Honey was a second-time vendor at Christmas on the Square.
'Any time I get the chance to come out here, I do,' she said. 'I was here a few months ago for a different event out here. … I love the feel of everybody around.'
Santa again made his annual appearance, riding in on the fire truck and inspiring a queue of people to line up for a shot with Ol' St. Nick in the gazebo.
Included in the musical performances throughout the night were the Pilot Point Bell Choir as well as the Tru Harmony acapella group, Matt Grigsby and Vince Lujan.
Students from Davis Dance of Pilot Point performed holiday-themed pieces for the crowd, and the Pilot Point Community Arts gave a preview of the production that premiers Friday, 'Radio Show: A Christmas Carol' during the festivities as well.
Event Coordinator Jennifer Neal was grateful for how the event went.
“We had a really great turnout,” she said. “The community support was great. We were excited about how many people were there.”
She expressed her appreciation for the work by the board volunteers as well as the Public Works and Parks Department staff members to make the event successful.
“There were always lines for Santa and the horse carriage rides, so we had some fun things happen, and everybody seemed to have a great time,” Neal said. “Even though it was cold, we all got out and enjoyed and it was wonderful.”
Reporter-in-training Julia Allen contributed to this report.
