SAN ANGELO, Texas — Christmas at Old Fort Concho is celebrating its 40th anniversary next month. The historic event is returning after it was canceled in 2020 year because of COVID-19.
Organizers have stayed busy preparing for the three-day event. Attendees are invited to the annual celebration from Friday, Dec.3 - Sunday, Dec. 5, on the Fort Grounds.
“It’s going to be a little bit more exciting this year because we are celebrating our 40th year anniversary, so we got everything back on track. We’ve got entertainers in the chapel, barracks, vendors in the commissary and of course we have our gingerbread and cookie contest,” Christmas at Old Fort Concho general chairman, Rudy Barron, said.
Barron says they’ve had a tremendous turnout in sponsorships with an overbudget of $4,000. With last year’s annual event being canceled, the funds will be used for the 40th anniversary.
One of the most anticipated traditions at Christmas at Old Fort Concho are the gingerbread and cookie contests. The contests will be held in the Quartermaster Building this year, with a special display in honor of Sandy Whitley, who died last year. The tradition of gingerbread house contest started 24 years ago by Whitley. In her absence, her daughter, Julie Quam, will continue the tradition.
“She wanted something that would draw kids and get people excited about coming to the fort. She took a class and that just started her creative energy. She left a big hole and I just cherish her memory and I'm honored that I got to be a part of it for so many years with her,” Quam said.
Christmas at Old Fort Concho has a weekend full of activities, entertainment and shopping. For more information on Christmas at Old Fort Concho, visit fortconcho.com
Friday, Dec. 3
- 3 p.m. - Winter Rendezvous/merchants/buildings open
- 4 p.m. - Historic Walking Tour
- 5 p.m. - Winter Rendezvous Retreat Ceremony
- 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. - Santa will be in the Santa House
Saturday, Dec. 4
- 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Lions Pancakes with Santa
- 9 a.m. - Winter Rendezvous/merchants/buildings open
- 9 a.m. -1 p.m. - Santa will be in the Santa House
- 10 a.m.- Winter Rendezvous flag-raising ceremony
- 11:30 a.m. - Gunfight in Old Santa Angela
- 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.- Santa will be in the Santa House
- 2 p.m.- Fort Concho Enterprise baseball game
- 2:30 p.m. - Gunfight in Old Santa Angela
- 4 p.m. - Historic Walking Tour
- 5 p.m. - Winter Rendezvous Retreat Ceremony
- 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.- Santa will be in the Santa House
- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - A Musical Night in Another Century
Sunday, Dec. 5
- 9 a.m.- 10 a.m. - Cowboy Chuck Wagon Breakfast
- 9:30 a.m. - Winter Rendezvous Flag Raising Ceremony
- 11 a.m. - Winter Rendezvous/ Merchants/ Buildings Open
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Santa will be in the Santa House
- 1 p.m. - Historic Walking Tour
- 2:30 p.m.- Gunfight in Old San Angela
- 3:30 p.m. - Winter Rendezvous Retreat Ceremony