Everything Nac

The 18th annual Nine Flags Christmas Festival in Nacogdoches will be in full swing December 5-6 with an entire weekend of fun-filled holiday events.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of yuletide nostalgia at Millard’s Crossing Historic Village’s “An Old Fashioned Christmas” Friday, December 5th 5-9 p.m. The event will feature live theatrical performances of Christmas classics, caroling and live music, old fashioned games, square dancing and so much more. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children 3 and under get in free.
On Saturday, wake up early and join in the 18th annual Jingle Bell Run 5K sponsored by R&K Distributors. The certified 5K features chip-timing and will start at 8:00 a.m. in downtown Nacogdoches. Runners will pass by local attractions and wind through the city’s beautiful historic residential district. Registration forms may be picked up at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main or downloaded at www.nineflagsfestival.com. You may also register online at www.onestoprace.com. Fees are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
Explore Nacogdoches’ historical attractions and get a glimpse into Christmas’ of past at the inaugural Tour of Museums 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Durst-Taylor Historic House, Nacogdoches Railroad Depot, Millard’s Crossing Historic Village, Old University Building, Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Stone Fort Museum will be offering tours to the public and hosting various Christmas events at each of their locations.
“Being the oldest town in Texas, we have a lot of wonderful historical sites, and the Tour of Museums offers a one-of-a-kind experience to see what Christmas was like in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,” said Jannette Watts, Marketing Director for the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Visit all six museums for a chance to win a special prize package. Admission is free, but you will need to pick up a ticket at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main.
As the day’s events unfold, excitement will be building for the largest lighted Christmas parade in East Texas sponsored by First Bank and Trust East Texas. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will wind its way through downtown Nacogdoches, which itself will be aglow with more than 3 million festive holiday lights. Celebrities Jonathan and Drew Scott of HGTV’s Property Brothers and JD Scott of Great American Country TV’s All-American Amusement Parks will be this year’s guest judges for the parade.
“The lighted Christmas parade has become one of the biggest highlights of the festival,” said Watts. “We typically have 100 entries in our nighttime parade, and it’s really neat to see them light up the brick streets as they make their way through downtown.”
The evening will culminate in an exciting fireworks display sponsored by Austin Bank, Bancorp South/BancorpSouth Insurance Services and Mike Perry Motor Company.
“Join in the fun and help us ring in the holidays December 5-6 in Texas’ oldest town,” Watts said. “There’s no better way to jumpstart your holiday season!”
The Nine Flags Christmas Festival is a celebration of Texas history and pays special tribute to the nine different flags that have flown over the oldest town in Texas. The festival will be held Nov. 21 through Dec. 13 in Nacogdoches, located about 150 miles north of Houston via U.S. 59. Platinum sponsors of the festival include Mike Perry Motor Company and Texas Farm Products.
For more information about the Nine Flags Christmas Festival, call 888-OLDEST-TOWN, visit www.nineflagsfestival.com, and be our friend on facebook @ Christmas Celebration.

The Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau is encouraging residents to light up Nacogdoches by participating in the annual Bert Rees Christmas Lighting Contest. This year, residents may nominate themselves, their neighbors or a favorite display through social media. Winners will be awarded a cash prize.

Every year visitors from around the state travel to Nacogdoches to experience the wonderful events during the annual Nine Flags Christmas Festival, and the residential lighting enhances their experience while they’re here by giving them more to see in the community. The switch to social media was made to encourage more participation in the lighting contest by making it easier to submit their entries.

“We wanted to give everyone a chance to nominate those houses in Nacogdoches that are really fun to look at,” said contest committee member Chay Runnels. “Years ago, people spent time during the holidays driving around and looking at lights. We want to bring that back by rewarding people who take the time to make the outside of their homes merry and bright for the season.”

Named in memory of Bert Rees, a local college art professor and Christmas Light aficionado, the contest is scheduled to run from now until December 12th. Residents in Nacogdoches County may nominate themselves or someone else’s residential or commercial property. There will be two categories this year: Best Christmas Display in Nacogdoches and People’s Choice for Best Christmas Display in downtown Nacogdoches. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of Best Christmas Display in Nacogdoches and a $1,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of Best Christmas Display in downtown Nacogdoches. Entries may be submitted online via Facebook @Christmas Celebration Nacogdoches or via Instagram and Twitter with #BertRees. For the best photo possible, it is recommended to take your pictures at dusk. People may cast their vote for their favorite photo on Facebook @Christmas Celebration Nacogdoches December 15-19.

This year’s contest is sponsored by Rees Jewelry, the retail jewelry store founded by Bert Rees and his brother Arthur in Austin in 1953. The store is now located in downtown Nacogdoches and operated by Rees’ wife, Charlene Rees.

For more information, call the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 936-564-7351 or visit www.nineflagsfestival.com.