Stroll Through Salado & See Nature in Lights

Village spreads holiday cheer Dec. 2-4 & 9-11

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of the SALADO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The holiday season is almost upon us, and the village of Salado has a lot of practice with spreading cheer. This year, the 62nd annual Christmas Stroll will take place in the streets of Salado, and the attendance list is already filling up fast.

According to Amanda Organ, the executive director at the Salado Chamber of Commerce, thousands of people attend the Stroll each year — in fact, over 12,000 people visited their website to look at the events calendar. The chamber oversees the planning, organizing and marketing, but individual businesses have control over their own decorations and what events they want to host. Organ says that a business must be a chamber member to be added to the event calendar, but any business is welcome to participate in Salado Stroll. Started 62 years ago by Lucille Robinson, the founder of the Salado Museum, it’s an important event for the shops in Salado because it’s when they typically get the most business of the entire year.

Salado Stroll is traditionally held during the first two weekends of December. This year, the fun kicks off on Friday, Dec. 2, with a lighted Christmas parade. Other events include a live nativity scene at the First Baptist Church, a production of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” at the Tablerock Amphitheater, food trucks, horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, live music, late-night shopping, and more. According to Organ, the biggest hits are usually pictures with Santa, the live productions, and, of course, the late-night shopping when stores stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Organ says the six days of the Stroll are so important for Salado businesses because it’s when they can really make their year in sales. “[The businesses] just think of something extra special, whether it’s a giveaway or a photo op — that’s an easy way to lure people in,” she says.

Other cities have Christmas Strolls like the one in Salado, but they’re just not the same. “What really makes it special is that it’s a tradition,” Organ says. “For 62 years, families have been coming.” In fact, people come from all over for the Salado Stroll. Organ says people come from Dallas, Houston and even out of state. She says there are just over 200 lodging rooms in Salado, and they’re already completely booked for the 2022 Stroll.

“It continues to grow,” Organ says. “And it’s just insane on Main Street. You’ve never seen so many people! It’s just a unique experience.”

IF YOU GO
Salado Stroll
Downtown Salado

Light up your holiday nights at BLORA

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos from the TEX APPEAL archives

Take your family to see five and a half miles of holiday lights at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area’s Nature in Lights this Christmas season, open until Jan. 1, 2023.

For more than a quarter of a century, Fort Hood’s Family, Morale and Welfare has presented this attraction in Central Texas.

IF YOU GO
Nature in Lights: Open 5:30 to 11 p.m. at BLORA, Cottage Road, Building NAF 126, Fort Hood. Call 254-287-2523 or go to hood.armymwr.com/calendar/event/nature-lights

All vehicles that drive into BLORA on Monday-Wednesday evenings will receive a collector’s 15th edition Annual Nature In Lights ornament (one per vehicle, while supplies last).

Tune in to 91.9 FM to listen holiday music as you drive through.

Santa’s Village: Take a break and browse vendor booths, purchase crafts and photos with Santa in Live Oak Pavilion from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 4, then nightly Dec. 8-24.

Restrooms: All restroom facilities are outlined in green lights for easy recognition throughout BLORA.

Cost: $20 for car, minivan & pickup trucks; $35 for limos, 15-passenger van & RVs; $55 for 24-passenger van; $80 for 47+ passenger van or bus

How to get to Nature in Lights:
From Fort Hood: Clear Creek Rd or TJ Mills Blvd to Old Ironsides Ave., Turn right on to Old Ironsides Ave., Turn left on to Martin Dr/East Range Rd., Turn right on to North Nolan Rd. for 10 miles, Turn left on Cottage Rd.

From Killeen/Copperas Cove: Hwy 190 to WS Young North to Rancier Ave., Turn right on to Rancier Ave/FM 439., Turn left on Sparta Rd., Turn right on Cottage Rd.

From Temple/Belton: Interstate 35 exit Hwy 190 West, Exit Loop 121 North, Turn left on to Sparta Rd., Turn right on Cottage Rd.