Boerne passed over in Hallmark’s ‘Christmas Town’ vote

Town still gets screen time with Bravo reality series

Boerne won’t be getting a Christmas present from the Hallmark Channel.

The city was one of 25 nationwide finalists in the running for the network’s America’s “Merriest Christmas Town,” but officials this week announced the title belongs to Carlinville, Illinois.

As its prize, Carlinville will be the backdrop of a 2027 Hallmark Christmas movie.

While some may feel Boerne got sticks and coal from the network, the town is still on tap for a Bravo reality series airing next month.

There were 1,500 city submissions to Hallmark, and Boerne was the only town in Texas selected to be considered for the grand prize, according to the network.

On Oct. 15, Hallmark Channel stars Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley and Brendan Penny delivered the news in person at the county courthouse in Carlinville with a surprise Christmas-in-October celebration, complete with food, music and holiday fun, according to Secret Chicago.

Carlinville, a town of about 6,000, is located in Macoupin County about 40 miles from the state capital of Springfield and an hour north of St. Louis.

Karin Doolin, a Carlinville resident, submitted her hometown for the contest, according to an article on the EntertainmentNow website.

Danielle Mullin, SVP of Brand Marketing at Hallmark Media, said in a statement that Doolin’s submission “beautifully described the camaraderie and heart of both the town and its people.”

“We were inspired by Carlinville’s embodiment of our company values — to help people live caring, connected lives filled with positivity and purpose — and expect to see that essence shine through when we return here soon to film a Countdown to Christmas movie,” Mullin said.

Hallmark executives chose the 25 finalists and opened voting to the public for three weeks leading up to a Sept. 4 cutoff.

A combination of fans’ votes and TV honchos weighing in led to Carlinville being named the winner, according to a news release.

Hallmark is known for family friendly, generally wholesome content.

Boerne will still have its moment in the spotlight, though, as Bravo plans to air a reality show titled “Small Town Trouble: Texas,” scheduled to premiere with a two-hour episode Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

A release noted weekly episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

According to the network, the show follows “wives, mothers, and social insiders whose conservative smalltown lives are disrupted by secrets, forbidden attraction and messy relationships.”