An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 20, 2009

Yule spirit to set anchor at Canyon Lake

By Yule spirit to set anchor at Canyon Lake 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

Santa Claus and friends are transporting the festive sights and sounds of the Christmas holiday season to the Hill Country as the Jacobs Creek park area at Canyon Lake plays host to this year's festival of lights.

The public is invited to enjoy a new holiday light display called "Lakeside Magical Christmas." Everyone can enjoy the fun and excitement of children fascinated by lights, Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and gifts during December's first three weekends.

"A Lakeside Magical Christmas is a family-oriented, self-paced driving tour through two adjacent parks along FM 306 at Jacobs Creek Park Road," said Steve Knechtel, 12th Force Support Squadron Team Randolph community programs manager, which will host the upcoming festival of lights. "At the end of the drive-thru you can park your car and walk into Santa's Lakeside Pavilion where you can meet Santa in person, get your photo taken for a nominal fee and purchase holiday gifts, crafts and refreshments."

Santa and his friends will be visiting Canyon Lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20 from 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 6-8 p.m. on Sundays. The fee at the Jacobs Creek Park gate is $20 per car or $35 for a season pass. To display support for the South Texas military community, anyone authorized access to Randolph Air Force Base can buy tickets in advance from the ITT office at a special discount price of $16.

The one-mile driving route with a million lights is designed to thrill and excite kids of all ages. This "Lakeside Magical Christmas" includes a lighted arch, a 16-foot toy soldier, 7-foot nutcrackers, snowmen, reindeer, Victorian ice skaters, a nativity scene and cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and many others. A special radio transmitter will also be used to play Christmas songs through patrons' car radios.

"While it is difficult imagining Santa having a workshop in South Texas, we thought the beautiful Hill Country surrounding Canyon Lake would be an ideal location to feature Santa and his friends," said Karen Becker, 12th FSS community services flight chief. "If you need help getting in the Christmas spirit, then do yourself and your family a favor and come and see the delights of Lakeside Magical Christmas on Canyon Lake's north shore."