Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade Brightens Main Street
BASTROP, TEXAS — Saturday, December 13, 2025. Downtown Bastrop’s Main Street became a corridor of light, music, and community pride as the Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade rolled through with 136 registered floats, drawing families shoulder-to-shoulder along the route and transforming the heart of town into a shared holiday living room.
Hosted by the City of Bastrop and sponsored this year by Frontier Bank, the parade felt less like a scheduled event and more like a cherished hometown tradition. From the announcers’ platform, Becky Wimbledon, President/CEO of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Ishmael Harris guided the evening with warmth, humor, and visible pride—welcoming first-time visitors while celebrating the many families who return to Main Street year after year.
Frontier Bank, this year’s presenting sponsor of the Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade, served as the festive broadcast hub—hosting parade announcers, judges, and community leaders as Main Street filled with families gathered below to celebrate the holiday season in downtown Bastrop.
A Main Street Full of Familiar Faces
From the first moments, the parade showcased what Bastrop does best: neighbors recognizing neighbors. Wimbledon and Harris greeted familiar faces in the crowd, spotlighted local milestones, and congratulated the Bastrop Chamber on its five-star accreditation, reminding spectators that strong partnerships and volunteerism remain the backbone of downtown Bastrop’s success.
Positioned along the route, this year’s parade judges carefully viewed each entry as it passed. From left to right, the judging panel included Gabrielle Palma, Tim Miller, Alice Tralgott, and Debbie Denny, whose attention and enthusiasm reflected the care taken in recognizing creativity, community spirit, and holiday presentation among the many participating floats.
Safety, Service, and the People Who Make It Happen
A special round of applause echoed throughout the evening for the Bastrop Police Department, city staff, and parade volunteers who ensured the event ran smoothly and safely. The announcers also recognized Michaela Joyce, Discover Bastrop director, for coordinating parade logistics as part of a full day of holiday programming across the city.
Dancing, Mascots, and Holiday Energy
The parade delivered exactly what families came for: sparkle, movement, and joy. Alongside classic entries—local fire department vintage vehicles, community organizations, and civic groups—the route came alive with dancing performers, festive characters, and familiar favorites such as the Honey Bears and Santa’s helpers.
Bastrop High School ROTC cadets march proudly down Main Street, uniforms illuminated with holiday lights, earning applause from the crowd as they exemplified discipline, service, and school pride during the Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade in downtown Bastrop.
Floats That Felt Like Storybooks
This year’s entries ranged from elaborate to charmingly simple, united by creativity and light. Spectators watched Model T classics glide past in holiday glow, themed floats transform trailers into moving storybooks, and churches and civic groups present nativity scenes that reminded onlookers of the meaning of the season. Music, color, and motion turned Main Street into a continuous celebration.
“This Is Small-Town America”—And Bastrop Wears It Well
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the evening was not tied to a single float, but to the atmosphere itself. Between announcements, Wimbledon and Harris reflected on what makes Bastrop special—a community where people still know one another, show up for one another, and choose togetherness during the holidays.
By the time the final floats passed and the lights faded down Main Street, Bastrop had done what it does best: turned a public street into a shared memory.
The Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade did more than kick off the Christmas season—it reaffirmed Bastrop’s identity as a community that shines bright, works together, and makes room for everyone at the curb.
