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Members of Shiloh Baptist (New Site) Church fix holiday meals for shut-ins in 2001. Opportunities to volunteer keep folks busy through the holidays. |
Whether your Thanksgiving turkey's still just a pipe dream wafting from the kitchen or the reason you polished off that bottle of Tums, try to savor what's left of the day.
Tomorrow brings the official beginning of the frenzied Christmastime season, and with it, a blizzard of yuletide events. So, in case you can still make out the numbers on your December calendar, here are some holiday happenings to consider.
Tomorrowl Capitol Holiday Tree Celebration, Montpelier, Orange. 2 p.m. 540/672-1653 or 540/672-2728.
l Children's Christmas Tree Lighting, intersection of George and Princess Anne streets, Fredericksburg. 800/678-4748.
l Downtown Orange Holiday Open House. Runs through Dec. 5. 540/672-2540.
Dec. 3l Christmas in Historic Warrenton. Runs every Friday until Christmas. Hayrides, entertainment, food, Santa and his elves in a Christmas shop for children only. Free admission. 540/347-4414.
l Culpeper Community Christmas Tree Lighting, the Depot on South Commerce Street. 5:30 p.m. Hot apple cider, cookies, caroling. 540/825-4416.
l Holiday Parade, Main Street, Orange. 6:30 p.m. 540/672-5216.
l Montross Christmas Festival. Lighting of the Rescue Tree by the Montross Volunteer Rescue Squad, illumination of town. 804/493-9623.
l Pops Concert, University of Mary Washington, Dodd Auditorium, Fredericksburg. 7:30 p.m. 540/654-1956.
l Rising Sun Tavern Open House, 1304 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. Carolers perform and refreshments are served at the house built by George Washington's brother Charles and later converted to an inn. 6-9 p.m. 800/678-4748.
l "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," Massaponax High School at U.S. 1 and Guinea Station Road, Spotsylvania. 8 p.m. Runs again Dec. 4-5 at 2 p.m., Dec. 10-11 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 11-12 at 2 p.m. Adults $10, students and seniors $7, children under 12 $5. Stage Door Productions presents the comedic story of children who help a town realize the meaning of Christmas. 540/834-4619 or 540/898-2673.
Dec. 4l 11th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes in Culpeper, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of event. Includes a standard flower show sponsored by the Calfee and Culpeper Garden Clubs. 540/825-8200.
l Annual Christmas Parade , Fredericksburg. 6:30 p.m. Annual downtown event with floats, bands, drill teams and a visit from Santa Claus. 800/678-4748.
l Belmont Holiday Open House, Belmont, Falmouth. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Runs again Dec. 5, 1-4 p.m. A free evening of holiday music, decorations and refreshments in the main house and studio. 540/654-1015.
l Bowling Green Christmas Parade, Main Street, 11 a.m. The theme is "Winter Wonderland." Susan Sili, 804/633-9084, 804/633-5264; Jennifer Stroud, 804/633-7767
l Celebrate the Holidays With The Monroes, James Monroe Museum, 908 Charles St., Fredericksburg. An evening open house with 18th- and 19th-century holiday traditions, including period music, decorations, hot cider and greetings from "Mr. and Mrs. Monroe." 540/654-1043.
l Christmas With the Animals, SPCA of Fredericksburg. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Runs again Dec. 5, noon-4 p.m. Annual open house. Donations accepted. Call 540/373-9008 or visit spcafred.org.
l Deck the Halls 2004, University of Mary Washington, Monroe Hall, Fredericksburg. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Sponsored by the James Monroe Museum. Floral consultant Jan Williams demonstrates how to create extraordinary holiday decorations. Reservations required. 800/678-4748.
l Holiday Parade, Spotsylvania Courthouse, State Route 208. 2 p.m. The theme is "White Christmas." Call 540/898-7529, ext. 225 or 232.
l Marshall Christmas Parade, Fauquier County. Afternoon. 540/341-0988 or 800/820-1021.
l Santa's Wonderland and Lighted Boat Parade, Colonial Beach. Santa arrives by boat at the town pier at noon, and a lighted boat parade at dusk. 804/224-0732.
l Seventh Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of Bowling Green. For information, contact Kay Brooks, 804/633-5455.
l The Messiah, Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne St. 2 p.m. Runs again Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Admission is free. Performed by the Fredericksburg Community Chorus. Janine Richardson, 540/663-2807 or fcchorus.org.
l Warrenton Christmas Parade. Takes place in the morning. 540/341-0988 or 800/820-1021.
Dec. 5l Christmas Tree Lighting, Taylor Park, Main Street, town of Orange. 540/672-4335.
l Christmas Tree Lighting, Gordonsville. 540/832-2233.
l Mary Washington House Open House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg. Refreshments and candlelight tours in George Washington's mother's home. 540/373-1569.
l Violin Project and Winter Concert: Rappahannock Youth Orchestra, Brooke Point High School, 1700 Courthouse Road, Stafford. Auction at 3:30 p.m., concert at 4 p.m. Those at the concert can bid on a custom-painted violin. $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors. 540/371-6200.
Dec. 6l Holiday Concert, Fredericksburg Christian High School, 9400 Thornton Rolling Road. 7 p.m. Drama selections and performances by choral, band and string students. 540/371-3852.
Dec. 7l 18th Annual Gingerbread Contest and Exhibit, George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway, Stafford. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Runs through Dec. 30. Confectionery delights made by area kids and adults. Admission. 540/370-0732.
l Tree of Lights Ceremony, Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg. 7:15 p.m. Sponsored by Mary Washington Hospital Auxiliary. $10 to buy a light in memory of a loved one. Proceeds benefit Mary Washington Hospice. 540/741-1440.
Dec. 9l Fauquier Christmas Home Tour, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 day of tour, $5 for a single house. Visit four homes and have tea at St. James Church. Sponsored by Francis Fauquier Garden Club of Warrenton. 540/937-4330, 540/349-0990.
Dec. 11l 34th Annual Candlelight Tour, Hanover Heights neighborhood, Fredericksburg. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Runs again Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Some of Fredericksburg's finest homes are on this candlelight walking tour sponsored by Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. Admission. 800/678-4748.
l Christmas Candlelight Celebration, Stratford Hall, Westmoreland County. Runs through Dec. 12. Interpreters will perform "A Christmas Carol." Light refreshments served. Dinner is provided by reservation. 804/493-8039.
l Christmas Concert, St. George's Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg. 7:30 p.m. Runs again Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg and its Youth Chorale will perform seasonal favorites. The audience and choirs will sing Christmas carols by candlelight. For information, visit ccfbg.communitypoint.org.
l Colonial Beach Historical Society Christmas House Tour. Meet at the Museum at Colonial Beach at the corner of Washington Avenue and Hawthorne Street. 5:30 p.m. Refreshments, then board buses for the tour. 804/224-9508.
l The Nutcracker, University of Mary Washington, Dodd Auditorium, Fredericksburg. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Runs again Dec. 12, 2 p.m. $10. Presented by the Fredericksburg Ballet Centre. 540/373-0978.
Dec. 12l Tour of Houses, Fredericksburg. 1:30-5:30 p.m. The Mayfield Civic Association presents this annual event. Call 540/371-1321.
Dec. 16l Sanders Family Christmas. Runs through Dec. 19. The Bowling Green Community Theatre presents the story of a family with one more chance to sing together on Christmas Eve before one son goes off to war. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 804/633-2100. Visit bgctheatre.org.
Dec. 26l A Washington Christmas, George Washington's Birthplace, State Route 204, off State Route 3 east, Westmoreland. Runs through Jan. 6. Memorial house is decorated for Christmas and filled with Colonial music. Costumed interpretation and demonstrations run until Twelfth Night. Admission. Call Roberta Samuel, 804/224-1732.
Dec. 31l First Night Fredericksburg. A family-oriented celebration of the new year with live music and entertainment, children's games and food in downtown Fredericksburg. Some city museums host open houses. Event ends with the dropping of the pear at midnight. For information, call Kimberly Herbert at 540/372-1216 or visit firstnightfredericksburg.com.
l First Night Warrenton, Main Street. Family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts and the new year. 540/349-0010.
l New Year's Eve Dinner, Barboursville Vineyards, Orange. Reservations a must. 540/832-7848.
Many more holiday events are scheduled to take place in the Fredericksburg area and beyond through the end of the year. Dates and times are subject to change. Calling ahead is always a good idea.
