Port Neches-Groves’ Indians advancing in the playoffs has put a snag in some upcoming holiday events but not all of them.

There are still plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit with tree lightings, ice-skating, games, and a visit or two by Santa Claus.

Festivities begin with the City of Groves Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at Celebration Park on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Coolidge Boulevard.

The event, sponsored by the Groves Beautification Committee, will feature a mini-concert by Groves Elementary School fifth grade choir, a five-piece brass ensemble from Lamar University providing a concert of Christmas music, a live nativity provided by Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and photo-taking opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Marty Godwin, with the GBC, said visitors to the event could bring along their lawn chairs, meet and visit with friends and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.

The park has been decked out for the holidays and during the festivities Mayor Brad Bailey will flip the switch on the giant city Christmas tree.

The annual Old-Fashioned Christmas event, sponsored by the Groves Chamber of Commerce, has been canceled this year but a number of businesses along Lincoln Avenue will be open and ready for customers.

Don Sodman will once again act as master of ceremonies as he has done for the past seven years.

Then, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Boston Avenue in Nederland will be transformed into a Christmas village of sorts with shopping, vendors, a scavenger hunt, petting zoo, pony rides, ice skating and a toboggan tunnel and more.

Angela Fanette, Nederland parks and recreation director, said the scavenger hunt will begin at 1:30 and finish at 5 p.m. Parents can help their kids ages 15 and under to take a selfie with different Christmas items then bring them to the “North Pole,” also known as Tex Ritter Park. A drawing will be held for a Kindle Fire, Xbox 1 and Playstation 4.

“The park will be lit up and at 6 p.m. there will be snow,” Fanette said. “We will also announce the winners of the second grade art contest and the fourth grade essay contest at this time.”

Members of the Nederland High School football team will be on hand and patrons can congratulate them on a season well done.

Nederland High School Choir will also be there caroling up and down the street.

Jace’s Superheroes will be at the Nederland Heritage Festival Pavilion holding a fundraiser. Jace, 6, is a kindergarten student at Helena Park Elementary. In 2013 he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and went into remission after a bone marrow transplant. Then, on Nov. 1, his parents learned his cancer is no longer in remission. He is being treated at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

“We want to encourage people to stop by there and have some gumbo,” Fanette said.

In addition, Santa Claus will be at the public safety complex on the avenue and Lori Lens will be taking photos.

“This is a good way to kick off the holiday season,” she said. “Shop, visit our small businesses who work so hard during the year.”

Fanette gave a shout out to Entergy, Healthforce, Golden Triangle Emergency Center, Nash, Rankin and Allstate and Acadian Ambulance who contributed to allow the city to put on such a large event.

Port Neches and Groves have canceled their Christmas parades due to the Indians making the playoffs.
“With much consideration and discussion we’ve decided to cancel the Christmas parade,” Debbie Plaia, executive director of the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, said.

Many of the parade participants — band, cheerleaders, Indianettes and more, will be unable to attend. Organizers tried to move the parade to Sunday but again many of the participants were unable to change their schedules thus forcing the cancelation.

“We appreciate everybody’s understanding. We know it’s disappointing,” she said. “But even though the parade is canceled, shops on Magnolia and Port Neches Avenue will be open offering refreshments; so if you are in town, please shop – Nederland, Groves, Port Neches businesses.”

The chamber’s annual food and toy drive is still ongoing. Persons wishing to donate nonperishable food items, new toys for ages two to 10 or a new blanket can drop them off to the chamber office at 1110 Port Neches Ave., Port Neches.

Plaia also encouraged businesses to decorate their storefronts for good luck to the players heading out Saturday morning for playoffs.

There are ways to get into the spirit even without the parade in Port Neches — just head over to the Port Neches Riverfront Park on Grigsby Avenue for Christmas Cards in the Park.

“Due to the storm (Tropical Storm Harvey) we didn’t get that many new cards likely due to funding issues as people are putting their businesses back together,” she said. “But we have two new (holiday) trees and will light up the pavilion.”

Also canceled is the Groves Lighted Christmas Parade, which was set for Saturday.