Round Top Christmas Memories

Positively Inspirational: A Monthly Spotlight

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month s spotlight is on Round Top’s Kathy Schatte.

1. How did the Lighted Christmas Parade in Round Top get started?

The parade actually started about twenty years ago, but it was not a lighted parade back then. Cathy Gau, Mary Leitko, and Kim Naumann along with their kids decorated a little go cart. According to Cathy Gau, they rigged a Christmas tree out of chicken wire and poked green tissue paper through the wire. Of course there was a star on top. They circled around town hall three times with tissue paper flying out. Cathy and Mary both remember the laughter and fim they had that year.

2. What did the parade and festivities look like ten years ago?

hi 2012 the Christmas parade started at 1 p.m. It was sponsored by the Round Top Chamber of Commerce and was advertised as being “Fun For the Entire Family.” Events during the day included the Round Top Brass Band homemade stew sponsored by the Round Top Family Library, “The Houston Joyful Sound Choir” sponsored by the DYD (Do Your Duty Club), games, face painting, and cookies - also sponsored by the DYD Club.

3. Is this a non-profit or private event?

This is a non-profit, free event.

4. When did the Chamber of Commerce first sponsor the night time, lighted Christmas parade?

In 2017 Round Top held its first night-time lighted Christmas parade and it was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to this, the parade had been held during the day on the first Saturday in December.

5. Who else plans the parade?

Since 2018, the Chamber, DYD, and the Round Top Family Library have partnered to hold the afternoon and evening event. It takes many hours of committee planning to get all of the details worked out.

6. What are some memories you have of celebrating Christmas in Round Top?

My husband grew up in Round Top. Although we eventually retired out here, when we were raising our family, we worked and lived in Houston. Back in the 1980’s, when our children were young, we would bring them to the town hall Christmas celebration. It was always on a Sunday afternoon which made it difficult for us because we had to head back to Houston afterwards. There would be school and work the next day. But it was always a treat for us to come visit family here and attend the Christmas celebration. We would gather outside the Town Hall and sing Christmas carols. Some were even sung in German. The best part was when Santa would arrive in the red firetruck.

7. Is there anything that Round Top used to do around Christmas time that you miss?

Yes, in years past individual businesses would decorate a Christmas tree. Maps were passed out of those participating. At the end you would be allowed to vote on the tree you thought should win. This was fun.

8. What do you love about the holidays in Round Top?

I have many wonderful memories of bringing our children here to visit their grandparents and great grandmother. Now that we are retired here, we are making new memories with our grown children and our grandchildren. We can’t wait for our families to visit us. I love everything about this day. I’m not sure what they like the best... cookies, face painting, the book walk, or the magical lighted Christmas parade. We’re definitely blessed out here. And during Christmas, our little town is magically lighted up.