1. New Tourism Branding
Out with the old and in with the new. We changed the colors,
look and feel of the branding to show that Palestine is progressive with a
throw back. We have modern conveniences and mixed with the sights of history.
Our look is a retro shapes and textures mixed with modern color pallets. We
changed with design of our Visitor Guide and Main Street Guide using this new
look and updating the design of our Visitor website.
2. Texas Monthly article about locally owned downtown business
In the March 2012 issue, Texas Monthly wrote an article that
highlighted eight of our businesses in the Main Street District. We are
extremely proud of our businesses and honored that Texas Monthly was impressed
with our destination. See part of the article HERE!
3. Interesting Dogwood Trails season
With the good comes some bad. During the summer of 2011,
Texas experienced a high point in our current drought and Palestine was not
exempt from the extreme conditions. However, we did not realize the full extent
of the damage until March 2012 during the Dogwood Trails Celebration. There
were quite a few dogwood trees that died and quite a few that had shed their
foliage and became dormant in order to make it through the summer.
Unfortunately, there were not many blooms in March of 2012. However, we are
extremely hopeful for 2013. Like the Dogwood Trails Celebration on Facebook at facebook.com/dogwoodtrails.
4. Opening of Splash Park
The City of Palestine partnered with the Palestine Junior
Service League to open the Splash Park in Reagan Park. Thankfully it stays warm
nine months out of the year in Texas, so people can enjoy this
state-of-the-art, railroad themed sprayground. It has water jets, sprinklers
and geysers that will keep you cool in the Texas heat.
Photo from Palestine Herald Press by Stuart Whitaker
5. Sculpture Show in the Main Street District
Palestine Tomorrow, Inc. partnered with the Main Street
Department to bring in a year-long sculpture show with 13 different sculptures
all throughout the district. All the sculptures are available for purchase. Get
more information at facebook.com/palestinearttracks.
6. Hot Pepper Festival reboot
For the first time in five years, the Hot Pepper Festival
took place and came back in full force this October. There has always been a
Fall festival the last weekend in October, but for the past five years it was
called, “WonderFall Oktoberfest.” No one is 100% sure how Oktoberfest came
about, but the City came together and brought back the Hot Pepper Festival,
which used to be the most popular festival in Palestine. To help us celebrate,
the Casey Donahew Band came and played a free show! Check out the action and
gear up for 2013 at www.facebook.com/hotpepper.
7. Fright Night
The Palestine Fire Fighters Association puts on a haunted house every year in the “Old Garment Factory,” one of the creepiest warehouses in Palestine. This haunted house has developed quite the reputation among the surrounding area and brought people from all around to scream their heads off.
The Palestine Fire Fighters Association puts on a haunted house every year in the “Old Garment Factory,” one of the creepiest warehouses in Palestine. This haunted house has developed quite the reputation among the surrounding area and brought people from all around to scream their heads off.
8. Holiday décor upgrade
As far as holiday decorations for Palestine, Texas… it has
been fairly skimpy in past years. This year, however, the City of Palestine,
Palestine Economic Development and Anderson County teamed up to buy decorations
this year. The Palestine Main Street District was well lit and shined brightly
into the hearts of our citizens and visitors.
9. Santa’s big entrance
Saturday, December 1, 2012 was the day of the annual
Christmas Parade of Lights in the Palestine Main Street district. In the years
past, the parade route has gone from the Courthouse to the opposite side of the
district to the Visitor Center. At the end of the parade Santa always comes out
and does the lighting of the town Christmas tree. This year because of the
fabulously decorated courthouse square, the parade ended at the courthouse. It
was the perfect set up for Santa to come out on the balcony, do the countdown
to the tree lighting and shoot a canon full of glitter into the crowd.
10. December 8 – the day we’ve dreamed of
The Palestine Main Street District is a gem! We are always
thinking of way to show it off to our visitors. This year we had a triple threat
of events for the holiday season and the Main Street District has never had so
much hustle and bustle.
*Santa’s Magical Workshop – families go through an
over-the-top decorated (in a good way) workshop and get one-on-one time with
Santa
*Ladies Day Out – the biggest shopping event in the Main
Street District with doormen, discounts, customer gifts and more
*Frost Fest – complete with synthetic outdoor ice skating
rink
Our Main Street Merchants says that December 8 was the best
day they have seen in the district
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