Seguin preparing for annual Holiday Strolls

Dalondo Moultrie The Seguin Gazette

Christmas lights will shine bright and hot cocoa will flow as people stroll next week in downtown Seguin.

The city’s annual three-day Holiday Stroll kicks off Thursday evening with the 2022 Holiday Stroll Parade, followed by the Cocoa Sip N’ Stroll on Friday and then the North Pole Stroll on Saturday.

The annual holiday lighted parade will feature Teachers of the year from campuses across Seguin and Guadalupe County who were invited to lead the march this year as grand marshals, Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen said.

“Teachers face many challenges today and continue to put our children first, knowing that education changes lives,” she said. “Teachers made an impact on my life in many ways, and I want all educators to be celebrated. Help me honor our teachers. As you watch our grand marshals in the parade, please take a moment of gratitude for the teachers who make daily impacts on our kids.”

The Holiday Stroll Lighted Parade kicks off the three-days of celebrations at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of College and Austin Streets and will feature lighted entries from local and area businesses and organizations.

Due to growth of the event that is in its 30th year, organizers extended the parade route to the Seguin Events Complex.

After the parade, the community is invited to gather at Central Park as Dodgen performs the annual tree lighting and announces the parade and Christmas Tree Decorating contest winners.

The fun doesn’t end Thursday night, said Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street and Convention Visitors Bureau director.

Seguin’s Main Street Program and Downtown Business Alliance is once again hosting the annual Cocoa Sip n’ Stroll.

“It’s free to attend the parade and on Friday night, it’s free to walk around,” Kramm said. “We ask that people purchase the official Sip N’ Stroll mugs to get tastings. Some businesses provide styrofoam cups so if you don’t have a mug, you can still taste.”

Mugs cost $15 and are available for purchase before the event at Gift and Gourmet, Keepers and Father Christmas.

The night of Sip N’ Stroll, mugs are available for purchase at the bandstand in Central Park.

“It’s for all ages. It’s for a couple looking to have a nice date night. It’s great for them to come out,” he said. “Or if it’s a whole family wanting to come out, come taste some hot cocoa. We do ask that you take precautions with kids if you’re going to be walking the sidewalks at night.”

Saturday’s event is even more child-friendly, Kramm said.

The day will start with the Jingle Bell 5K at 8:30 a.m. with the North Pole Stroll set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The North Poll Stroll includes a lot of children’s activities in the park from arts and crafts to photos with Santa, Kramm said.

Sunday is when the Seguin Art League hosts its Yulefest, which isn’t an official part of the Holiday Stroll but gets celebrated with it just the same, Kramm said. All of the events come together to create a festive mood in and around Seguin, he said.

“We want people to come out and just have a really good time and just kick off the holiday season in Downtown Seguin,” Kramm said. “We have a lot of great downtown businesses that are open all year long but there’s no better time to come out and support them than at Christmas time when you do your holiday shopping. It’s really just about getting all of Seguin into the Christmas spirit.”

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