Hometown Christmas

STUART, VA – There’s no better place to be this holiday season than in your own hometown, and no better way to get in the spirit of the season than by participating in some of many events scheduled throughout our county for Hometown Christmas.

The Christmas season officially kicks off on Main Street in Stuart Friday, December 6^th with the third annual “Grand Illumination” tree lighting ceremony in front of the courthouse at 6 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of hand bells and carols as we light the tree. A new feature this year, the Patrick County Alzheimers Group is selling love lights to be placed on the tree. Purchase your love light “in honor” or “in memory” of a loved one. Merchants on Main Street will extend their Friday hours until 8 p.m., allowing plenty of time for holiday shopping.

Hometown Christmas continues Saturday, December 7th with a day jam-packed with holiday celebrations and plenty more shopping opportunities, including the Mistletoe Market at Stuart Farmers’ Market (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), holiday bazaar at Stuart United Methodist Church (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Stuart Elementary School PTO’s “winter blender” (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and the new Prouldy Patrick Holiday Market held in the Chamber of Commerce office ( 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Check out the Festival of Trees at the Patrick County Library Open House, featuring all county elementary schools (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), include your family pet in Hometown Christmas with the Christmas-themed photos at Pet Provisions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and don’t forget to stop by Circle K for some free hot chocolate!

Returning this year will be "Passports to the Holidays," that can be stamped at all participating merchants and turned in to the Chamber of Commerce office by noon on Monday December 9th. These passports will be available at participating merchants, the Chamber office, and W.H.E.O. Prizes include items by our local merchants and Tweetsie Railroad tickets for the 2020 Season.

The 48^th annual Christmas Parade will wind its way downtown Stuart starting at 2 p.m. Organized by One Family Productions, this year's parade is themed “A Christmas Story,” and features the The Honorable Judge Martin Clark as Grand Marshal.

Patrick County’s Hometown Christmas weekend is a collaborative effort of local merchants, the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism offices, W.H.E.O., the Town of Stuart, One Family Productions, and the Patrick County Library.

Festival of Trees

Stuart, VA~ Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Patrick County Branch Library. Six trees are decorated for the holidays.

Grand Illumination

Join us Friday December 6 at 6 pm as we light up the Christmas Tree on the Courthouse lawn. Shop local businesses and start working on your passport stamps. Shops staying open until 8 pm. New this year is the Patrick County Alzheimers Group is offering a Love Light for you to purchase.

Stuart Elmentary PTO Winter Blender

Winter Blender
Hosted by: Stuart Elementary PTO
Featuring: Rise and Shine Market - Youth Entrepreneur Vendors

December 7, 2019
Stuart Elementary School - New Gym
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Shop Local. Shop Handmade.
Home Decor, Gourmet Delights, Hand Crafted Items, Jewelry, Clothing, Handbags, Beauty Products, and more!

Complete your Christmas Shopping with local vendors and Stuart Elementary PTO!

**VENDORS WANTED**
Vendor Setup Fee: $25.00
Youth Entrepreneur Setup Fee: $10.00
*Booth Space is 10 x 10
For more information check out the Vendor Registration Form posted in the Facebook event.

Mistletoe Market

Join us at the Stuart Farmers' Market for this annual festive holiday market.

All items at our market are locally grown or handmade

Henry's Fresh Roast Coffee

In Season Gardens: produce if season allows

Sally's Bread

Spoon Mtn Farm: fiber and artwork

Snow Creek Nursery

Embroidery Work

Stanburn Winery

Joy Lavender Farm

Soap n Que soaps

Feathers for Pleasure

Master Gardeners

Around the bend farms: door swags and others

Buffalo Creek Farm and Goat Cheese

Happy Bee Herbs and Teas

Chocolate covered peanuts and boiled peanuts

Amish Friendship Bread

Grace Meadow Farms

Stuart United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar

7 Am to 4 PM

Book Room, Handmade Crafts, Fresh Baked Goods, White Elephant Room, Hamburgers and Hotdogs, Homemade Soups & Chili's, Coat Closet and more.

Patrick County Christmas Parade

One Family Productions is pleased to announce the 48th annual Patrick County Christmas Parade. Martin Clark will be the Grand Marshal of this year’s event, which carries the theme “A Christmas Story.” In addition to recently retiring as circuit court judge, Martin Clark is a renowned author, with his recent release, The Substitution Order, receiving excellent reviews. We are excited to honor Martin Clark for his many years of service to Patrick County, as well as, celebrate his incredible accomplishments as an author. The theme, “A Christmas Story” theme is timely not only because of Martin’s continued success with the release of his new book. It also felt appropriate as our community continues to celebrate the brand new [Blue Ridge Regional Library] Bookmobile that so many in our area helped bring to fruition.”

The parade will take place Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 2 PM, with a rain date of December 14. Line up for the parade will begin at 12 PM on Wood Brothers Drive in Stuart, Virginia. Again this year, line up should be complete by 1:15 PM to allow for judging.
Along with Martin Clark, Grand Marshal, other members of the community will serve as judges for the parade, and awards will be given for:
Grand Marshal award, highlighting the float that most effectively embodies the “A Christmas Story” theme;
“Spirit of the Season” award to the float which the judges believe embodies the true spirit of the holiday season;
Patrick County Chamber of Commerce award, highlighting a chamber member entry; and
Best in Show to a representative of the local Fire Department and Rescue Squad entries.
One Family Productions invites all parade participants to interpret and embody the theme of the parade in their float decorations.

All participants, including businesses, educational and non-profit organizations, churches, pageant title holders, and others should submit entry forms by December 2, 2019, to secure a place in the line up. Registration forms will be available online (http://bit.ly/PCchristmasparade), printed in the Enterprise weekly until November 27, and can be picked up in person at WHEO Radio and the PC Chamber of Commerce office. Entries are $20, with a $25 fee for entries after December 2. Horse and riders may be registered for $5 per rider/horse, and fees for fire and rescue apparatus are waived. **Due to liability risks and safety concerns, no ATVs/4 wheelers will be allowed.**

For more information please contact Chris Prutting at 276-692-7195, visit the Facebook page “Patrick County Christmas Parade,” or email questions to pcchristmasparade@gmail.com.

To access the online registration: http://bit.ly/PCChristmasParade