Mayor’s Column
NOVEMBER 2015
Season’s Greetings from the City of Heath!
The Christmas season is always a special time, and through the years our City’s Holiday in the Park has become a community gathering that signals the official kick-off to Christmas in Heath. As always, Holiday in the Park is on the first Friday of December, and I invite each of you to come join the festivities this year on Friday, December 4 in Towne Center Park from 6 to 9 p.m.
From wonderful live music and sparkling lights, to sweets and Santa Claus, everything is in place for spectacular evening.
There’s no need to rush your family through dinner before coming out to the park, because several of Dallas’ most popular food trucks will be onsite to offer a wide array of choices including sliders, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, tasty pizzas and even a little spicy Mexican flair.
Dine under a sparkling canopy of lights, while enjoying Christmas music performed by the talented Cain Middle School Orchestra from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.
At 7 p.m., gather around the brightly lit gazebo for the official Christmas Tree lighting. The Rockwall-Heath High School Jazz Band led by Jonathan Morsinkhoff will set the stage with some foot-tapping renditions of seasonal favorites, followed by yours’ truly getting pull the “switch” on the City’s stunning new 24-foot Christmas tree. One of my favorite moments every year is the reaction we get when the lights come on!
The festivities continue with the sweet sounds of the Amy Parks and Dorothy Pullen Elementary School filling the crisp night air. If you haven’t seen choir directors Jan Stonestreet (Amy Parks) and Chris Ghormley (Pullen) leading their students through a charming performance, you are in for a real treat.
Then it’s time for Santa’s grand entrance, and he always steals the show. Ushered in by the traditional singing of Super Santa by every former Amy Parks choir student in attendance, Santa closes out the program with a Jingle Bells sing-a-long for all.
Just like the Pied Piper, Santa is followed by a long line of children to his sleigh for a cozy chat and photos in the picture-perfect scene. (Don’t forget your cameras! This is Christmas card worthy.) We will also have a holiday photo booth, generously sponsored by Dr. Scott Quinby/North Texas Orthopaedic Specialists to offer adult and family photo opportunities.
Throughout the evening, there will be free kids’ activities including a miniature train ride and Christmas craft presented by Arstream Mobile Art Studio. Another new addition is the Heath Holiday Shoppe, where you can purchase our First Edition 2015 City of Heath Christmas ornament ($15ea) and festive long sleeve Christmas red HEATH, TX t-shirts ($20ea).
Enjoy all this fun and festivity while sipping on complimentary hot cocoa and nibbling Christmas cookies, home baked and donated by the National Charity League and Rockwall Women’s League.
It sounds like a story-book Christmas celebration to me! You can find more information and photos and videos from years’ past at www.heathtx.com and www.facebook.com/HeathTX. Or, please call 972-771-6228 if you have questions.
I want to thank the City of Heath Special Events Board and our 2015 Special Events sponsors for making community gatherings like Holiday in the Park possible. And I thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your Mayor. May you and your family a joyous Christmas, and a happy, healthy and blessed New Year.
Mayor Lorne O. Liechty
HOST SPONSOR – Lakeside Chevrolet
Presenting Sponsors
American National Bank of Texas; Artsteam Mobile Art Studio; Atmos Energy; Chase Bank; Dental Professionals of Rockwall; Heath Salon & Spa; Horton & Archibald, a Professional Corporation; LiechtyMcGinnis, Attorneys & Counselors; North Texas Orthopedic Specialists & Dr. Scott Quinby; and Suddenlink.
Supporting Sponsors
Juice It Up; Justin Holland, Regal Realtors; Karen Wydra, Ebby Halliday, Realtors; Oncor; Pabian Partners, Inc.; Progressive Waste Solutions; Rockwall Cycling/PlayTri; Smoothie King; Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital; and Urban Air Trampoline Park.
HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
Friday, December 4 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Towne Center Park, behind Heath City Hall
Schedule:
6-9 p.m. FOOD TRUCKS/ACTIVITY BOOTHS & MINIATURE TRAIN RIDES/COMPLIMENTARY COCOA & CHRISTMAS COOKIES
6:15-6:45 p.m. CAIN ORCHESTRA PLAYS IN DINING AREA
7 p.m. CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & SANTA’S ARRIVAL -FEATURING RHHS JAZZ BAND, AMY PARKS & PULLEN HONOR CHOIRS
7:45-9 p.m. PHOTOS WITH SANTA
RAIN OR SHINE—
ACTIVITIES MOVE INTO AMY PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IF INCLEMENT WEATHER OCCURS.
