Santa Rita Celebrates 23-Year-Old Christmas Tradition

Santa Rita opened its yearly traditional Christmas boxes displaying the story of “T’was the Night Before Christmas” Saturday evening. The Santa Rita Homeowner Association has been displaying these boxes since 1992 in the 1800 block of Algerita Drive near the Santa Rita Park. For more than two decades, this tradition has brought joy to the families of San Angelo.

Above: Dr. Robert Morton, Katie Johnson and her two children carried on a long-time tradition Saturday evening. (LIVE! Photo/Simone Brooks)

One local San Angelo family attended the opening night to pass the family tradition on to their new generation. A father, daughter and her children, a 3-year-old and 1-year-old, strolled through the displays. The children followed along as the story was read by father and daughter.

“I grew up in San Angelo, so I remember doing this as a child," said Katie Johnson, daughter of Dr. Robert Morton. "It’s been really fun to make it a new tradition for them. This is their first evening out to see it.”  Johnson said her father brought her as a child and they have been coming to see these displays since it started 23 years ago.

For those families who visit, local residences will volunteer each night to serve hot chocolate to those who walk or drive through the display. These boxes will be on display from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night through Christmas. The Santa Rita community encourages San Angelo families to come out and enjoy the famous story “T’was the night Before Christmas” come to life while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. They can also finish the experience off with a stroll through Santa Rita park to enjoy the lights.