LEAGUE CITY GETS READY FOR 2021 HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
Every city has its own unique celebratory traditions during the holidays , and League City is no exception . Every year , the residents of League City experience the wonderful Holiday in the Park .
Holiday in the Park has been a family tradition in League City for 24 years , organized and put on by the League City Proud organization . The holiday extravaganza was started by Janice Hallisey , her husband and mayor Pat Hallisey and Tommy Cones as a way to bring the community together .
“ We consider Holiday In The Park a social event and a way to kick off the holiday season ,” Janice said . “ It is a time for friends , family and neighbors to come together to enjoy each other ’ s company in true holiday season and fashion .”
The event takes place on Main Street in “ Old League City ,” the historic League City location that continues to evoke the small town feeling Hallisey and many others love about the city .
“ People are always surprised when they come to the event because it gives them that small town feeling ,” Janice said . “ We are still maintaining that small town feel . On Main Street we have oak trees that are over 100 years old . We have the St . Mary ’ s church that was built in 1910 . League Park , where it takes place , is where John C . League made the original land plot that would become the city of League City , so it definitely evokes a lot of history . We want to invite our friends and neighbors and family to the event to really enjoy our company . There ’ s such a great community aspect . Houston could not even do that . Their parades are great but our Holiday in the Park has such a wonderful small town and community feel . You see your friends and kids playing with people you know and it ’ s such a great feeling .”
A time of fun holiday festivities , the event is an opportunity for everyone to get out of the house and enjoy the open air and many activities . Parades are one of many prominent features of the holiday event . Holiday In The Park has a different theme each year , which helps determine how many decorate their floats . The parade floats are judged at night , and participants have the opportunity to decorate their floats based on the film or other creative ideas . This year ’ s theme is the classic Christmas film “ It ’ s A Wonderful Life .”
“ But I think people are just really excited to be able to be around each other ,” Hallisey said . “ We are hoping the numbers for COVID-19 go down so that many will be excited to come out .”
Every year grand marshals are chosen
to lead the parade . The grand marshals are chosen to highlight and honor for their heritage and contributions to League City .
This year is especially notable as it will highlight one of the League City ’ s oldest and historic families : the Winfields .
The Winfields were the first African American families to settle in League City , settling in the 1880s . They have been in League City almost as long as the Butlers , the founders of League City . As their family grew , families such as the Hobbs and Simmons married into the family , with there now being many descendants of the Winfields . Years ago the Winfields expressed to the mayor that they had felt forgotten in spite of their legacy within the city . In 2019 , after a historic family gathering of descendants of the family , Mayor Hallisey declared the Winfields one of the founding families of League City .
Now , this year , the descendants of the Winfields will be the grand marshals of the parade , while also being honored for their historic importance to League City .
As Holiday In The Park nears , the city is already embodying the holiday and League City Regional Chamber spirit of Stronger Together as they work to put on the event .
“ We ’ re all about the people ,” she said . “ What matters is being able to see the children and elders having fun and hear the bells ringing from St . Mary ’ s .”
Holiday In The Park will begin Dec . 3 . Friday night with Family Night at the Park , in which classic Christmas cartoons will be shown . As Holiday in the Park nears , First Lady Hallisey gave these words to the people of League City .
“ Don ’ t miss the opportunity to come out to an event for League City families created by all League City volunteers because we are all League City Proud !”
For more information on Holiday in the Park , visit Leaguecityproud . com .
NOVEMBER 2021 13