San Angelo, Get Ready for Christmas at Old Fort Concho

On Thursday at 11:30 a.m., media flocked to Fort Concho Officer Quarters 8 to find out the details about this year’s Christmas At Old Fort Concho three-day fun-filled weekend of shopping and entertainment. Additionally, during the media party, Pat Attebery, host of KLST, announced her retirement.

Attebery spent 45 years with the station, and said her last day will be Dec. 18. 

As for Christmas at Old Fort Concho, which is scheduled for Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, the annual event will host many of the old fan favorites along with the new.

There will be lots to “see and do,” including the following:

• Living History Camps
• Ongoing Entertainment
• Children’s Events
• Merchants and Artisans
• Military Drills
• Vintage Base Ball
• Unique & Tasty Foods
• Gingerbread House Contest
• Cowboy Breakfast
• Church Services
• Christmas Art Contest
• Historic Walking Tours
• Decorated Cookie Contest
• Lions Pancake Breakfast
• Frontier Christmas Ball & Concert
• Indian Village
• Trick Roper
• Medicine Show
• Santa’s House

Overall, people won’t lack for things to touch, see, hear, smell and taste, especially with all the new vendors this year.

“It’s growing,” said Bob Bluthhardt, Fort Concho’s site manager, about the event. “These events keep getting bigger and I’m running out of room.”

Bluthhardt noted that last year the event saw 20 new vendors, and this year, 19 more have been added.

Organizers of Christmas at Old Fort Concho said Weldon Henson, who they deemed “the new and upcoming George Straight,” will provide good ol’ fashion country fun at the Cowboy Christmas Dance on Thursday, Dec. 3. There will be private concerts available for $800 a table.

Entertainment Chair Beth Aldridge added, “There will be three days and nights full of music with a new artist every hour.”

As for the food, Brenda Lehr, who is in charge of Decorating the Houses/Merchants moving in, said, “You will not go hungry. There will be plenty of food.”

Also, Cactus Jack with the Concho Cowboy Company said his group will set up shop at Old Santa Angela located near Oakes Street.

“It’s gotten a big facelift this year,” Cactus Jack said about the CCC. Apparently, Wyatt Earp will join the Company from the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Additionally, John and Nora Green plan on putting on the Frontier Christmas Ball & Concert. They are encouraging guests to wear Little House on the Prairie attire; however, costume isn’t necessary. People can also come as they are. For the music, the ball will have an orchestra playing music from that era, and people will get to dance the Virginia Reel and Concho Waltz.

For the kiddos, Santa’s House will have seven rooms this year, and each room offers a different theme. Promoters said, “Look out for this one.”

For more information about this year’s Christmas at Old Fort Concho, contact (325)481-2646 or 657-4441. People can also visit the event at www.facebook.com/fortconcho.

Megan Holmquest contributed to this story.