Buda is clearing its stockings early to make room for a new winter festival in place of Budafest this year.
According to a news release, Buda was designated a Texas Main Street City earlier this year. The revitalization program focuses on revamping historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial properties, which is why Buda is taking a look on how it can reshape its downtown events.
While the Budafest Committee has been organizing Budafest for more than three decades, Budafest Organizer Bert Bronaugh said he feels good about the new festival.
“I feel encouraged about the future of the Budafest tradition. The spirit that was brought to this event over the past 33 years was embraced by the city, and I feel it will be in good hands,” he said in a statement.
City Manager Kenneth Williams said Buda’s Main Street Program will play a major role in the new holiday festival and will work with Buda's tourism and parks departments and the original Budafest team to shape the new holiday tradition.
Similar to Budafest, the new festival will include a Christmas parade, entertainment, carnival and more than 125 artisans selling handcrafted items. Santa Claus will also be on hand to take pictures with the kids.
“Budafest is a time-honored tradition," Tourism Director Lysa Gonzalez said in a news release. "It’s important to our community and the city that we honor the legacy that the Budafest Committee has worked so hard to build over the years."