The Christmas season
officially kicks off on Main Street in Stuart Friday, November 30th
at 5 p.m. with the third annual “Grand Illumination” tree lighting ceremony in
front of the courthouse at 6 p.m. Merchants on Main Street will extend their
Friday hours until 8 p.m., allowing plenty of time for holiday shopping. A new
feature this year is "Find the Elf," where participants are
encouraged to find Santa's 12 elves hiding among the fun on Main Street and
turn them in for a prize.
Hometown Christmas continues Saturday, December 1st
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.) and holiday bazaars at Stuart United Methodist Church (7 a.m. to 4
p.m.) and Stuart Elementary School PTO’s “winter blender” (8:30 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 Charlie Brown 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
Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. These passports will be available at
participating merchants, the Chamber office, and W.H.E.O. Three lucky winners
will receive a very special Patrick County gift basket.
The 47th
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 “Sliding into
Christmas,” and features the Dixie Youth Ozone Virginia State Champions 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, Patrick County elementary schools and the
Patrick County Library.
For more information
on experiencing the simple life of Patrick County and other countywide events,
please contact the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce at 276-694-6012 or online
at PatrickChamber.com or visitpatrickcounty.org.
