Commissioners OK courthouse displays, $5,000 contribution to Cleburne Chamber for Whistle Stop Christmas

Johnson County commissioners approved the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s request on Aug. 25 to install and maintain the Whistle Stop Christmas displays on the courthouse grounds, to have county facilities light the courthouse trees and to provide a $5,000 contribution toward installation and maintenance.

Chamber representative Miss Juarez told the court the Whistle Stop event, now in its 28th year, attracted more than 77,000 visits in 2024, including about 50,000 visitors from outside Johnson County. She said the courthouse display alone recorded about 17,000 visits during peak hours last year and that out‑of‑county attendees stay in local hotels and increase local sales tax receipts.

The court confirmed facilities staff will continue to light the oak trees on the courthouse square, and commissioners authorized use of county property and parking lots for associated events. The court noted contractors must avoid damaging underground irrigation or infrastructure; the Chamber said it uses sandbags rather than stakes and would coordinate with county facilities and the contractor who has worked on prior displays.

Commissioners set an installation target before the Chamber’s downtown holiday open house on Nov. 7 and said displays would remain through early January. The court approved the $5,000 contribution to the Chamber Foundation unanimously and asked staff to follow up with foundation paperwork to finalize the funding transfer.

The vote authorizes the county to partner with the Chamber on courthouse lighting and supports the Chamber’s outreach to visitors across the region.