COLDSPRING — Saturday marked the official start of the Christmas season in San Jacinto County, as the community gathered on the courthouse square for the annual town lighting ceremony. And while Mother Nature had her own plans for the evening, not even a thunderstorm could dim the holiday spirit in Coldspring.
Sheriff Sam Houston served as the guest of honor, selected to flip the switch that would bring the town’s Christmas lights to life. Before the ceremony, he confidently promised that the lights would come on at 6 p.m., rain or shine.
For most of the day, it looked like the Sheriff might get lucky. Clouds lingered quietly overhead with no rain in sight. But at 5:59 p.m., just one minute before the big moment, Mother Nature unleashed a complete deluge. The crowd scattered for cover as sheets of rain and wind swept across the square.
Yet true to his word, Sheriff Houston stood his ground. At 6 p.m. sharp, with rain pouring down, the switch was thrown, and Coldspring lit up in brilliant color, a glowing beacon through the storm. Cheers broke out from under tents, umbrellas, and any shelter folks could squeeze beneath. Christmas had officially arrived.
The celebration had begun earlier in the day, with food trucks lining the area and serving visitors from late morning into the evening. Throughout the afternoon, the courthouse square came alive with country music. Several artists took the stage, bringing hits, originals, and plenty of holiday cheer:
•Jason Breedlove, a Nashville recording artist from Woodville, kept the crowd smiling with a mix of his own songs and classics like George Strait. The performance everyone talked about afterward, though, was his spirited rendition of Kenny Chesney’s “All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan,” which had toes tapping despite the gloomy skies.
•Tyler Tillman, another talented recording artist, closed out the night with a strong set of original music, giving the crowd a warm sendoff even as the rain continued its steady rhythm.
If the evening proved anything, it’s that it takes more than a thunderstorm to dampen the Christmas spirit in San Jacinto County.
