A Hill Country Christmas tradition started by President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) and his family more than four decades ago will continue this Sunday, Dec. 15, in Stonewall.
Johnson’s descendants are expected to join with visitors for the 44th Annual LBJ Christmas Tree Lighting and Evening Tours at the LBJ State Park and Historic Site, off U.S. Highway 290.
Festivities kick off around 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the park’s visitor center, where holiday music will be played by the “Polka Dots” band directed by Ed Creekmore.
At 6 p.m., the program will start with the lighting of lamps in memory of both President and Mrs. Johnson. Performing the honors will be state park superintendent Iris Neffendorf and national park chief of interpretation and resource management Dave Schafer.
Neffendorf will provide the greeting, while Rev. Bob Welch of Stonewall Baptist Church will lead the invocation.
Stonewall’s Trinity Lutheran Church choir will sing “Silent Night,” after which St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church’s Rev. Jim Harman will read the Christmas Story.
Director of Texas State Parks, Brent Leisure, is expected to offer comments and Luci Johnson, daughter of the president, will provide an introduction of Johnson family members in attendance.
Also expected to attend is volunteer Evelyn Woods, who has never missed a tree lighting, and other volunteers.
Rev. Percy Smerek of Trinity Lutheran Church will lead the benediction before Johnson family members and park officials flip the switch to light the large, native cedar Christmas tree gracing the courtyard.
Santa Claus is expected to arrive just in time to witness the tree lighting. He will then greet young visitors to hear their holiday wishes whispered in his ear.
A live nativity scene will be set up near the Visitor Center, featuring young participants from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
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