Workers install handrails alongside a sidewalk on North Street in the Streetscape Phase II area on Wednesday, one of the final touches surround the World’s Richest Acre. Project engineer Jeremy Buecheter said there are a few repairs to be made before the project can be listed as complete.
NEWS HERALDphoto byJAMES DRAPER The lights are on, the spirit is stirring and the stage is almost set for St. Nick’s arrival in Kilgore.

If the holiday season here began with Thursday’s Christmas in the Patch derrick lighting ceremony, the Main Street Program will kick things up a notch after Thanksgiving, days before the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade ushers in more holiday festivities.

Set for 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 26, the annual downtown Mingle Jingle features food, drinks and holiday entertainment as merchants and guests say goodbye to Turkey Day, brush off the rush of Black Friday and prepare for the Christmas season.

Three lofts will be featured on the traditional tour: Harry Crouse’s Design Studio above 2-0-5, former Main Street Manager Fallon Burns’ home and Mike Tate’s loft above GoodDay Coffee.

Christmas music will be broadcast at the event by QXFM radio (100.3, 97.9). A $10 coupon book featuring local merchants’ discounts will also be available.

As November draws to a close, the Chamber of Commerce has lined up 75 entries for the annual Christmas Parade and welcomes more — if they respond soon (903-984-5022). The event usually averages 100 floats, chamber president Mike Coston said, and he hopes more people will enlist to try their hand at the “Candy Canes Christmas Carols” theme.

The skies, Coston is sure, will be clear.

“I’ve already asked Mark Scirto to promise me good weather since he’s our Grand Marshal,” Coston said. The local meteorologist will ride on the outside of a car, not inside, Coston added, “so that’s an added incentive for him to bring good weather.”

The season’s “big” celebrity, Santa Claus, sleigh and all, will play caboose once again.