 The holiday season in Fredericksburg will shine brighter than ever this year. The centerpiece of new holiday decorations in downtown Fredericksburg, founded in 1846 by 120 settlers from Germany, is a 26 foot tall Christmas pyramid, crafted in Germany for Erzgebirge Palace, headquartered in Mainz, Germany.
“Fredericksburg is just a wonderful place to experience a home town Christmas, and we wanted to emphasize our German heritage with our new Christmas pyramid and other holiday decorations,” noted Jeryl Hoover, Mayor of Fredericksburg. “The Germans have provided so much that is associated with Christmas – the Christmas tree, nutcrackers, great carols and the Christmas pyramid.” Christmas pyramids had their roots in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), a mining region in the eastern part of Germany. When the mining industry lost importance, the people of the region decided to use their woodworking skills to start a new trade. Today, the skilled craftsmen of the Erzgebirge manufacture internationally collected Christmas pyramids, nutcrackers, smokers, candle arches, music boxes and many other wooden figurines. Traditional Christmas pyramids are wooden carousel-like structures that have several levels depicting Christmas motifs, such as angels, nutcrackers and manger scenes. The rotating motion of the pyramids is traditionally achieved by the rising heat from candles spinning the propeller at the top of the pyramid. Christmas pyramids are popular in homes across Germany and now in many parts of the United States. Today In many cities and towns in Germany, large-scale outdoor Christmas pyramids powered by electricity are located at the Marktplatz or other locations associated with Christmas celebrations. Nodding to its German heritage, Fredericksburg’s 26 foot tall Christmas pyramid will be located at the Marktplatz, or the town square at the heart of town on Main Street. As has been the tradition for many years, all of the buildings along Main Street in Fredericksburg’s historic district will be outlined with white lights, and new five foot Christmas wreaths will adorn utility poles along Main Street. The Christmas pyramid and City Christmas Tree at the Marktplatz in Fredericksburg will be illuminated with a short ceremony on Friday, November 27, at 7:00 p.m. The holiday decorations will extend through Epiphany or Wednesday, January 6th. “We hope to provide our residents and many visitors to Fredericksburg with a wonderful Old World holiday experience this year,” Hoover concluded. To request a free 2009 holiday guide, with a listing of holiday events from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Eve in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County, please call 1-888-997-3600 or email visitorinfo@fbgtx.org. To book accommodations for your holiday getaway to Fredericksburg or to view the complete holiday calendar of events on-line, visit www.FredTexLodging.com. | 
