50th Anniversary Celebration of Kemah Provides a Weekend of Fun December 11 & 12
Nov 08, 2015 12:10PM ● By SCENE MAGAZINE STAFF
The celebratory weekend will start Friday evening December 11 at the Kemah Visitor Center and Old School House at 6th Street and Bradford with their longtime tradition of the Kemah Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The hours are 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as the shining tree will light the way to the Lighthouse District with all the shops beautifully decorated and lighted city streets. Christmas Carolers and the Stewart Elementary Choir will entertain the guests and begin the feeling of Christmas joy in Kemah. Santa and his beloved elf will open the event with surprises for kids of all ages, including a petting zoo where children can interact with the animals and have pictures taken with them. Find artifacts and interesting stories of days gone by inside the Old School House to learn about Kemah’s colorful and interesting history about the past and present residents and city leaders and how successful entertainment empires were built in Kemah. Watch for Santa during the weekend as he will be roaming shops and stopping for pictures. Later during the night, Kemah’s Krewe du Lac (Mardi Gras krewe) will be hosting their annual toy drive and pub crawl. Participants will bring unwrapped toys to donate for the area children, then walking along the Lighthouse District to restaurants and pubs in festive costumes. These events are free and open to the public.
The merriment will continue Saturday morning December 12 with the ‘Kemah thru the Years & Christmas Parade’ starting on Bradford Street at 10 a.m. and it will travel to Kipp Street and the Kemah Boardwalk. Organizations or businesses that would like to enter a float into this street parade, can contact, [email protected] for an entry form. The parade will have special appearances by Miss Kemah and Miss Kemah Teen.
Following the parade, there will be awards and the opening of the Kemah Time Capsule. The Kemah Historical Film will be playing in the afternoon at the Kemah Community Center telling the story of Kemah and its beginnings. Various local musicians will provide live music throughout the day.
The day’s festivities will conclude with the annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade at Kemah Boardwalk. Starting at 6 p.m., the colorfully decorated boats with festive participants travel along the Kemah Channel as boardwalk revelers gather for beads and candy.
City of Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner said, “At this special time of the year, we are so proud to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary. We have planned a fun-filled weekend for the young and the young at heart. So, we hope to see you in Kemah the weekend of December 11 and 12.”
Kemah attracts several million tourists from coast to coast and internationally to enjoy dining and entertainment. Kemah has always had its share of restaurants and entertainment over the years. Now with more than 35 dining establishments – from fast food to fine dining –there is something for everyone and every budget. There are five hotels and six locally owned bed and breakfasts to accommodate guests and all within walking distance from Galveston Bay. Mark Kane, Divisional Vice President – Amusement Division of Landry’s said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the 50th Anniversary of Kemah and to have a big role in Kemah’s identity for the next 50 years!”
Merchants, employees and residents of Kemah make up the all-volunteer committee to provide the free-of-charge events Friday and Saturday kicking off the most joyous time of the year. Jimmy Sims & Bill Minak, owners of Kemah Flowers & Art of Coffee stated, “The first 50 was great, together the next 50 will be even better.”
For any additional information, contact committee chairman Keith Mercado at [email protected].
Make the Kemah 50th Anniversary Celebration a must-do for the whole weekend to start the holiday season.
- Domino Taylor
