SAN ANGELO, Texas — Because of ongoing challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark has canceled its annual Christmas at Old Fort Concho event, scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 4-6.
“Staff and volunteers have been watching local and regional conditions, visiting with volunteers and support groups and polling vendors and artisans for the past two months,” Fort Concho Site Manager Bob Bluthardt said in a press release from the City of San Angelo. “While conditions have somewhat improved from the summer, we do not have commitments from our key supporters and participants to create a high-quality event.”
The fort will host smaller programs and events to celebrate the holiday season in November and December, the release said.
“These events will follow current health and safety guidelines but not pose the serious challenges of managing large crowds in congested buildings and outdoor spaces,” Bluthardt said.
Created in December 1982, as a community event and site fundraiser, Christmas at Old Fort Concho usually involves 1,000 volunteers hosting 10,000-15,000 guests from 150 Texas communities; 25 states; and a half-dozen countries.
According to the release, Fort Concho staff plans to have the Christmas event on Dec. 3-5, 2021.