Cedar Park and Leander holiday festivities still on despite cold snap

Despite forecasted chills and even a chance of freezing rain, Cedar Park and Leander officials confirmed that their separate holiday events are both set for this weekend.

Cedar Park will illuminate its holiday tree with 60,000 lights in Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. After that comes the annual Santa's Workshop, featuring carriage rides, arts and crafts, games with prizes, inflatable playgrounds and live music. Admission is free.

The Leander parade starts at 5 p.m, in Old Town Leander around Willis and Brushy Streets. Leander Parks and Recreation Director Steve Bosak said any changes to the schedule will be posted to the city Website and Facebook page.

"If we have rain, freezing rain or sleet, we will possibly call it off," he said. "We'll make a decision no later than 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon [Dec. 7]. But it's supposed to dry up. It will be cold."

Carolers and free hayrides will add to the Leander event. The tree-lighting will take place at 6:15 p.m.

"We have 33 [parade] entries right now, and it's going to include classic cars, local merchants, Santa," Bosak said. "We have Blue Santa. We will have Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops."

Parking is at the Leander Independent School District or at the LEO Center south of City Hall.

Some visitors will be able to stay warm, Bosak said.

"We're going to have a big Yule fire outside," he said.