The Magnolia Historical Society is extending this year’s Hometown Christmas to offer more festivities to participants. The event will be three days this year, from Dec. 10 to 12.

The lighting of the Christmas tree, as well as opening of the ice rink, is scheduled for Dec. 10. at 6:30 p.m.

The annual Magnolia Christmas Parade will make its way through Magnolia starting at Unity Park Drive and Nichols Sawmill beginning at 10 a.m. Following the parade, Christmas activities will begin at the Depot.

Vendors will be open on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 12 from 12 to 5 p.m.

According Historical Society member Stefani Mitchell, some of the things guests can expect to see this year are the Cookie Express, Jingle Bell Rock and the Chili Cook-Off. The Chili Cook-Off, which will include a category this year for gumbo.

“The Jingle Bell Rock is literally a rock at the depot that sings,” Mitchell said. “It will be like Magnolia’s own Stonehenge.”

Union Pacific will not be part of the event this year after offering train rides last year, but the Historical Society will be offering trolley rides through town along with carolers. The trolley will take guests on a ride through the Gullo’s property on a Christmas light tour.

“The Gullo’s are a tremendous gift to this community,” Mitchell said.

Guests can also expect to see carriage rides and a bounce house, while Santa Claus will be at the Depot for pictures.

Tickets are sold based on what guests would like to participate in. For instance, tickets for carriage rides and bounce houses are sold individually.

Community choirs from local schools and churches are also volunteering to be a part of the attractions.

Most festivities will take place at the Depot, while the ice skating rink will be in the library parking lot.

Mitchell said she hopes Magnolia area businesses support the event.

At a Magnolia City Council meeting in October, the Historical Society asked council members to help with the funding of the Hometown Christmas. A special meeting was held later at which council voted to grant the Historical Society $6,000 of the Hotel Motel tax fund.

Mitchell said the money will be applied towards the ice rink and advertising of the event. The Historical Society plans purchase radio ads to promote the event in order to gets “heads in beds,” she said.

Mitchell said last year guests came from surrounding areas such as, Waller, Hockley, Navasota, The Woodlands, Livingston, Katy, Cypress and Huntsville.

Profits from Hometown Christmas are used for the Historical Society to maintain the Depot and also for future events in Magnolia.

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