Commissioners back Whistle Stop Christmas display, to consider $5,000 support for installation

Representatives of the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce told the Commissioner's Court on Monday that Whistle Stop Christmas — a regional holiday lights and events program — draws tens of thousands of visitors and is an economic driver for downtown Cleburne.

Heather Rohrer and other Chamber staff said Whistle Stop included millions of lights across Hulam Park, downtown, the courthouse lawn and Johnson County Market Square; the Chamber reported an estimated 77,000 visitors in 2025, producing an estimated $4.2 million in visitor spending between 2024 and 2025. For its 30th anniversary, the event will run from Nov. 23, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, and the Chamber requested $5,000 to defray installation, maintenance and new‑lights purchases.

Commissioners said the event serves an economic‑development purpose for downtown businesses and moved to allow the event dates and to find a way to fund the $5,000 request. County staff noted facilities management already handles some display installation and that past years have included county contributions in leaner budgets.

Why it matters: The event is presented as a tourism and local‑business benefit that the county supports through facilities assistance and occasional financial contributions; the court's willingness to assist reflects the event's role in regional visitor spending and downtown activity.