Living the Good Life In Georgetown Texas: Texas: Georgetown: Downtown (historic Georgetown)

What a fine day it was for the 29th Georgetown Christmas Stroll.  This celebration still has all the charm of a small town spontaneous parade combined with many many hours of volunteer planning making for the best Christmas Celebration in Central Texas.      A huge crowd turned out filling the streets with families and strollers.  There were plenty of booths of crafts to browse      and lots of good eats too.  My favorite is the kettle corn.       and how could not stop and listen to the singing nuns?  Inspirational and funny too!      But the best part is the stroll itself.  What started out as a casual small town event of local neighbors in Christmas costumes walking the downtown square with their pets    has evolved into a major parade with floats and entries continuing for blocks.  Patriotism was a popular topic this year  and my favorite entry was the Cub Scouts with their soapbox derby cars.  As a former CubScout pack leader I can remember the joy of corralling 30 eager CubScouts.     I love the the tank.. another scout had a version complete with missles.. I wouldn't want to mess with him.    and what would a small town Texas parade be without Indians????     and at the tail end of the parade is Santa.. his sleigh is pulled by a motorcycle.. you don't think we have reindeer in Texas do you?  

Come experience a home town Texas Christmas celebration and ring in the holidays and join us at Georgetown's 29th Annual Christmas Stroll this Saturday December 5th from noon to 8pm.  Americana at it's best, you will think you have stepped into a Norman Rockwell painted scene as you enjoy the parade with homemade floats, bands, choir, bell ringers,clowns, elves and more as they stroll around the square giving out candy and collecting toys for Blue Santa. The parade starts at noon, at the corner of 6th and Church and continues to the Square.  On the courthouse lawn there will be over 75 booths set up with crafts and unique holiday gifts, food vendors and restaurants will be serving plenty of treats.

Other activities include a 5k run beginning at 9 am in San Gabriel Park, 2 stages of entertainment throughout the day including choirs, bands, carolers,children shows and my favorite Tuba Christmas!

Be sure to get your picture taken with Santa in the Christmas village, visit Bethlehem Village, and for just fun take the kids to Whooville where there will be a rock climbing wall, moonwalk, clowns and a magician.

For more information or detailed schedule visit the Downtown Georgetown Association.

I'm often asked "What brought you to Georgetown?".  There are so many good reasons to relocate here, a great school disctrict, low taxes, mild climate, beautiful parks, proximity to Austin Tx but what always comes to  my mind is the historic downtown square.  Just picture one of Norman Rockwell's paintings of a simpler time and you have an idea of our guality of life here in Georgetown Texas.  Let's take a walking tour and you'll see what I mean.

Discover Georgetown Mural 

Georgetown is located 30 miles due north of Austin Texas and is the county seat of Williamson County. The Williamson County Courthouse was restored in 2007 and occupies the center of downtown.

Williamson County Texas Courthouse

The lawn surrounding the courthouse is a popular spot for local events, including Fair on the Square, Red Poppy Festival and the upcoming Christmas Stroll of Downtown. 

Courthouse Lawn Georgetown Texas

Austin Avenue(Highway 29) is on the west side of the square.  It was the major highway between Austin and Dallas until Interstate 35 was completed in the 1960's.  Before that it was part of the original Chisholm Cattle Trail.

Chisholm Trail Historic Marker

Georgetown was an important center for commerce in the 1880-1930 time period with banks, retail, restaurants, saloons, and theatres.

Austin Avenue (Highway 29) Georgetown Texas

7th Street Georgetown Texas

Corner of 7th and Main Georgetown Texas

Georgetown has promoted the revitalization of the historic downtown through the Downtown Georgetown Association, The Main Street Program, and through it's Historic Overlay District.  The restoration of the buildings and the placement of trees and benches add much to the charm and character.

8th and Main St. Georgetown Texas

Restoration of buildings continues.  This Building at the corner of 8th and Austin Avenue was modernized in the 1950's with a plaster overlay.  The removal has exposed the original window openings and the building detail.

8th and Austin Avenue Georgetown Texas

The art deco Palace Theatre is now owned and operated by a non profit group that stages regular theatre productions.

Palace Theatre Georgetown Texas

Downtown is home also to unique gift shops, clothing boutiques,bookstores, decorator shops jewelry, antique stores and restaurants. 

The Escape, Fine Crafts and Gifts

One of my favorite buildings is the Lockett Building with it's cupola windows.  I'd love to have my office here!

Lockett Building Georgetown Texas

All it takes is one stroll around Georgetown's square and you will also want to call this speciall place HOME!

I wonder if this house in historic Georgetown Texas was under a pest control program?  Proof positive I guess that yes in Texas everything is BIGGER including the bugs!

Remember the song Janice Joplin sang 'Mercedes Benz'?  This weekend in Georgetown Texas I was singing a version of that "O Lord, won't you buy me a CORVETTE?" kept coming into my brain as I walked the historic square and checked out all the beautiful Corvettes that participated in the Corvette Weekend.

And then there was my favorite.. the one that got me singing.

If only I could hop inside pop the clutch, burn those skinny tires and transport myself back to Leo's Drive In circa 1965.   'Oh Lord won't ya buy me a STINGRAY!"

No really, Go To Jail.

NO REALLY, YOU NEED TO GO TO JAIL!

  Specifically the Old Williamson County Jail, and experience NIGHTMARE AT JAIL HILL a benefit put on by the Williamson County Sheriff's department Brown Santa charity.  Tour the `1880's jail that once housed such famous criminals as serial killer Henry Lee Lucas,hear chilling stories of past residents and the famous sheriff's that put them there.  Tours will begin Oct 23 and 24 from 6-11pm at the jailhouse on the corner of 4th and Main in downtown Georgetown Texas. Tickets are $8 adults and $5 kids 9-12.  Lawbreakers are admitted free however release can be problematic.

A beautiful fall day here in Georgetown had both Wiley the RealDog and I needing to get out.  What better place to explore than the Georgetown Texas Bark Park.  WOOF!!!

This park is big! covering several acres of a pecan grove there is plenty of room to let Wiley run and chase those pesky squirrels.  There is also an area designated for small dogs if you don't want little Fifi intimidated by the big dogs.

The amenities include benches for owners to tired to play anymore, plenty of tennis balls and half eaten dog toys, water stations and tubs to splash in, and of course fireplugs.

SIT! WILEY, SIT!  because if you don't you are going to find out what the Time Out Area is all about.

Well a good time was had by all....We'll be back often, not only is a great place to exercise your pet, but it's a great park for people too.  Just another example of why we all love living in Georgetown Texas!  Woof!!