JEFFERSON, Texas-If you'd like to catch the Christmas feeling this weekend, Jefferson has two nights of candlelit tours and seasonal charm for you.
The 2015 Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. both tonight and Saturday night, showcasing Jefferson establishments decked out in holiday finery. They are the Singleton's Virginia Cross House, Dotson-King House, Eanbeorht Home and the Lafayette Street Vintage Car Museum.
This the tour's 33rd year and it features three private homes and a museum. The Singleton's Virginia Cross House (401 N. Soda St.) is the oldest on the tour, a Greek Revival home dating to 1859. The Dotson-King House (312 N. Walnut St.) came along four years later, the original owner, James B. Dotson soon dying in the Civil War. The Eanbeorht (410 N. Walnut St.) isn't historic, but it was built in 2012 in honor of Jefferson's history and the owner's family history.
Over at the Lafayette Street Vintage Car Museum (112 W. Lafayette St.), check out restored vintage cars in a building that's housed banks, the chamber of commerce, a medical office, print shop and other businesses.
Candy Dickson, a volunteer with the Historic Jefferson Foundation, says the unique aspect of this tour is that these historic homes are occupied and open to the public for this event.
"These are homes that are lived in," Dickson said. Tour stops are all decorated with live trees and greenery. In addition, nearly all lighting consists of candles at these locations.
"Everybody has a unique way of decorating," she said. To her, each year seems to improve upon the last one. "It is hard to put into words how beautifully these homes are decorated."
As they visit each location, tour-goers will hear more about each location's history. Dickson calls Jefferson "the place to kick off the Christmas season," a place that comes together for the holiday. It's a place where an old-time, historic Christmas can be celebrated.
"If they want to get into the Christmas spirit and they want to go back in time, this is the town you need to come to," Dickson said.
The tours started last weekend and concludes this weekend. They're always held the first two weekends in December. Visitors can go to the homes in any order they choose. About 30 minutes is recommended for each home.
Two other Christmas destinations, The Enchanted Forest and Christmas music at First Baptist Church, are free and open to the public at this time.
(Tickets: $20. Buy tickets and find more information online at JeffersonCandlelight.com. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the homes.)