Aubrey celebrates jolly season

By Basil Gist

Staff Writer

     The city of Aubrey kicked off the holiday season on Dec. 4 with its annual tree lighting.

     The event featured staples like vendor booths, bounce houses and the jolly old elf, as well as a plethora of young singers on the main stage.

     “I love encouraging music,” Event Coordinator Rodney Cagle said as 90 students from Brockett Elementary took the stage.

“We’ll have the high school choir come behind them. It will be really neat to see these young ones go off the stage and get to see the older ones who are really taking this wholeheartedly to perform.”

     In addition, Dreams Music Academy fielded a collection of its performers, and the Pilot Point Fine Arts program, housed at the First United Methodist Church, brought its choir as well.

     “We usually come every year,” Olivia Layman said as her kids enjoyed the bounce houses. “They’re really excited to watch all their friends that are older than them sing.”

     Photo ops were spread around the park for families to enjoy under a new 360,000 square foot light positioned above the grounds.

     “There were some complaints last year about the lighting in the kid’s zone, and I knew the solution for that,” Cagle said. “It was an easy solution in my book.”

     As his first event to take the lead on with the city, Cagle said growth was secondary.

     “I didn’t try to change a lot,” Cagle said. “What I focused on was safety and flow of the public.”

     Tim Usrey of TEXokie Jerky said he had a great view of the grounds from his booth on the south side of the park.

     “I love it,” Usrey said. “I like seeing all the kids running around and playing, everyone is having a good time. Christmas music is playing, [and] everyone’s getting the spirit. It’s great.”

     Mayor Chris Rich addressed the town as he prepared to light the tree.

     “This holiday season is all about coming together to celebrate the spirit of love, kindness, joy and faith and what better way to start the season than to gather here surrounded by friends and family, to light this beautiful Christmas tree, a symbol of hope and warmth that will shine bright throughout the holidays,” Rich said.

     He continued.

     “As we celebrate the night, let us remember that the true magic of the season isn’t just in the lights and decoration, but in the connections we share, the generosity of spirit we show one another and the community we continue to build together,” Rich said.

     Though Cagle said shoring up the gaps was his focus for the year, he shared some ideas he has for the future.

     “I don’t know how many people are on board with me right now, but you might be looking at a parade next year,” Cagle said.

“I’ve got to get a few more people on board, but I really think a parade would take this to the next level. Christmas parades are loved and adored, but that’s a large step to add.”