Christmas at Old Fort Concho Kicks Off Weekend Festivities

Christmas at Old Fort Concho kicked off its weekend festivities Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. While most San Angeloans were still at work when the event opened, staff, volunteers, and merchants were more than ready to take on the weekend crowd.

The smell of old-fashioned kettle corn and the sight of what looks like a history book come to life, is enough to make a person stop and wonder what is actually happening at Fort Concho.

For 34 years, Christmas at Old Fort Concho has given its visitors a little insight to what life looked like in the 19^th century, mixed with some holiday cheer. Bob Bluthardt, site manager for Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, said he has been privileged to be a part of the event for 34 years.

“It started in 1982; it was a great idea by an event staff member who was named Tilley Chandler,” he stated. “She had this wonderful idea that if we pull together some entertainment, some music, and some shopping, and some food, and maybe a little living history, that we could pull a crowd.”

It is safe to say that Miss Chandler had the right idea, as this event has grown from an average of 8,000 visitors to around 15,000 in recent years, and has expanded to include activities on all 40 acres.

One might ask before attending Christmas at Old Fort Concho, “What do we get when we come in and pay the $3, $5, or $7?” Bluthardt responded, “Well you get shopping opportunities, upwards of 50 vendors in the buildings and about a dozen outside. There’s ongoing entertainment in three different locations. You have hourly military drills and activities. There are horses and wagons, and soldiers and cannons, and Indians all over the place!”

First time vendor, Brenda Wells, is very enthusiastic about the weekend and hopes to return next year. “I think it is really cool that they are trying to keep the history of this old fort alive,” she stated.

Like most vendors, Wells came from out of town to share her talents with San Angelo. Her business, Cross My Heart Jewelry, features beautiful handmade pendants. Her booth can be found in “Office Row” of Fort Concho.

In addition to jewelry, shoppers will also find clothing, ornaments, food, such as bread and jams, and 19^th century toys. “Basically, if you like to shop, if you like to eat, if you like to listen to music, or if you like history, there’s something out here for you,” Bluthardt said.

On Saturday, there will also be seven different children’s workshops to ensure fun for the whole family. In addition to these activities that are just on the other side of the gate, there will be special ticketed events that visitors may want to check out. A Frontier Dance and Ball will take place Saturday night. Sunday morning, there will be a Cowboy Chuckwagon Breakfast and church service.

“It’s our sort of present to the community because this takes a lot of work to put this thing on, and it’s a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we only do it once a year,” noted Bluthardt. Christmas at Old Fort Concho is a way for visitors to see the entire fort at one time, while shopping, eating, or watching historical reenactments. “So, in a way, we’re taking the whole fort and wrapping it up with a great, big red and green bow and saying ‘here it is,’” he added.

Christmas at Old Fort Concho will run until 7 p.m. on Saturday, and then 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The daily admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and military, children ages 7-17 will be $3, and children ages 6 and younger are free.