Williamson County All Aglow With Holiday Cheer

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office uploaded a video of Georgetown Square showing the site illuminated for the holiday season as seen from a bird's eye view— and it's spectacular sight.

The video on Twitter shows the seasonal spectacle from a unique perspective. The Rockwellian scene yields the essence of the city of Georgetown — the county seat made even more charming with holiday lighting.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is when the lights were first switched on at 5:30 p.m., delighting residents eager to catch the Christmas spirit. Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell were on hand for the countdown before the switch was turned on, sparking up thousands of lights on the bucolic town square.

Adding to the cheer were members of the Austin Carolers, and Santa himself took time off from his busy schedule to take photos with the kiddos inside the historic courthouse. at 710 S. Main St. The edifice figures prominently in the video as it makes a dramatic entrance as it comes into view, the sight made more awe-inspiring given that is it bathed in green light.

Not that the structure isn't normally imposing. Visible for miles around, the neoclassical building is the focal point central business district, according to a municipal website, and the fifth structure to serve as a Williamson County courthouse. Austin architect C.H. Page designed the building, projecting porticoes supported by Ionic columns, and classic pediment and balustrade detailing. The courthouse was restored to its original splendor in 2007. Tours given on most Friday and Saturday afternoons at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

To step into the square for the holidays is to go back in time, almost like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting or Frank Capra film. One might even find oneself reflexively running across the space shouting "Merry Christmas!" with sheer abandon and joie de vivre to neighbors and inanimate objects alike as George Baily did in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life."

One gets the feeling that such exclamations might not be viewed as disrupting the peace or seen as odd behavior. But just during the Christmas season!

Take a gander at the video for yourself below, along with a snippet of the festivities from two years ago:

Merry Christmas, Williamson County! Yaaaaaay!