Today we’d like to introduce you to Dianna Hodges.
Hi Dianna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Vision Lampasas began in 2007 as a follow-up to the Main Street Program. A group of community leaders, business owners, and concerned citizens organized Vision Downtown Lampasas as a 501c3 organization. We later evolved to be more inclusive and became Vision Lampasas – dedicated to enhancing the economic, cultural, and aesthetic welfare of Lampasas. Subcommittees quickly followed.
Indian Artifact Show in September – concentrating on education and appreciation of our unique history.
Squared Silly- last Saturday in October (held on the Courthouse Square) is a family-friendly Halloween event that attracts hundreds to enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, a haunted house, pony rides, various games and a costume contest from ages 0 – 14 plus a family category. Vision Lampasas puts on the event and pays for advertising and insurance in order to give smaller non-profits and youth organizations an opportunity to raise money for their own groups.
Carol of Lights – First Saturday in December is an enhanced version of an event begun more than 30 years ago when school children caried candles and caroled to the Courthouse Square. After 2007, Vision organized different groups to paint the downtown windows with holly, a visit with Jolly Santa, crafts and storybook reading with Mrs. Santa, Snow Queen beauty pageant, vintage car display, vendors, special attractions at local businesses and – for the grand finale – a evening lighted Christmas Parade with more than 40 entries,
Christmas on the Creek held the second Saturday in December began 10 years ago and turn Sulphur Cree into a winter wonderland from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. Vison Lampasas partnered with others to raise $110,000 for the initial design and lights for WM Brook Park. We have repainted all of the city displays and added our own touch – Candy Cane Lane, seven swans a swimming in the creek, and a celebration with snow to play in and smores to eat.
Stars at Night in March is our newest event from our Lampasas County Friends of the Night Sky. That committee is working toward making Lampasas a night-sky friendly community and also has several smaller events like telescope clinics and night sky viewing with astronomers at the local vineyards,
Wild West Casino Night in February not only celebrates our culture and history, but it is also our major fundraiser. We partner with the Lampasas Chamber of Commerce to have a fire-grilled steak dinner with all the trimmings. Included in the fun is a live and silent auction, and casino-type games. The community has been very generous in their support of our efforts.
Our Mural Committee designed our first mural in 2007. “Boot Roundup” celebrates local bootmaker and our western culture. This mural and the 14 that followed are designed as a paint-by-number to maximize community involvement. All the murals and our events and activities can be viewed on our website
VisionLampasas.org. Our Facebook page features many photos from our events,
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A few growing pains did not deter the determination to make enhance our town. Some say we are an hour from civilization in any direction 🙂 but I think that it makes our community have a stronger sense of belonging. Nothing else to do but participate in all the activities put on by the more than 100 charitable organizations: Lampasas Association for the Fine Arts, Lampasas County Museum, school organizations, scouts, Young Life, Cooper Spring Nature Park, Fire Department food and toy drive, Rodeo Riata, and so much more. Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce has a full calendar of events and we support them all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
All of our volunteers bring with them a lifetime of skills and experience. Our best trait is that we collaborate so well with each other and with other organizations in our town.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Perseverance and community spirit are as important as kindness and determination. Nearly everyone is willing to help for the common good.
Pricing:
- All of our events are free except Wild West Casino NIght
Contact Info:
- Website: https://VisonLampasas.org
- Facebook: Vision Lampasas
