Staff report
Gone are the candy canes and big green tree. Holiday decorations on the square in downtown Kyle look much different this year.
Last year’s display had a “few lighted tree displays, gingerbread, a lighted Santa Claus display and a happy new year sign,” said the city’s parks director Mariana Espinoza. “In addition to the brand-new tree, this year we added lights to the Old City Hall, tripled the size of the tunnel, added lights to the gazebo, added a star, snowflake and present display, and added three cut out displays throughout the park for photo ops.”
Unlike last year, when the city rented the lighted displays, all of this year’s decorations were purchased “with the exception of the snowflake, present and star,” she said. Additionally, the lights on the old City Hall building are leased. Espinoza said she did not know how this year’s expenditure compares with in 2019, although the city general fund includes $20,000 for holiday decorations and $10,000 for Christmas programming. “We do not have a final total of this year's lights and supplies cost yet,” she said.
Espinoza said lights, displays and the new tree were approved by the city council. “Lights for this year and last year were purchased from local and area stores. The displays for this year were rented from Majestic Christmas Company. Last year's displays were rented from Josh Barnett Productions, Inc. of Bakersfield, California.
Kyle residents can look forward to a new theme next year according to city plan. “The goal is to have a different color scheme/theme. This year's decorations include a new Christmas tree. The park colors compliment the new Christmas Tree (bright white, soft white, gold). Last year, the theme focused on red/white/Candy cane theme.”
