Buchanan Festival of Lights –Enjoy thousands of lights adorning trees and buildings on the grounds of the Buchanan Town Park located at 485 Lowe Street. Dr. until Christmas Eve 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Please remain in your vehicles during Drive Thru Nights, and, practice proper social distancing and wearing masks on Walk Thru Nights.
Luminary Volunteers Needed – The Town of Buchanan invites you to be part of our annual Christmas Eve Luminary Display. olunteers at 5 p.m. to help light luminaries. If you would like to volunteer, please call the Buchanan Town Hall at 540-254-1212 ext. 4.
Buchanan Christmas Eve Luminaries – Where did the idea for using milk jugs for Christmas Eve luminaries come from in the Town of Buchanan? History tells us following the flood of 1985 there were a mountain of plastic gallon jugs in which people sent water to the Town of Buchanan for the residents who had no drinking water due to the flood. One of the Town residents, Jean Baber, had seen luminaries using paper bags when she visited her daughter. Jean thought it would be a great idea for the residents of the Town of Buchanan in appreciation of all the kindness shown during the flood to use the plastic jugs for luminaries on Christmas Ever. So, that year was the start of the luminary project.
When the Town started the Downtown Revitalization Program in 1995, developing a Christmas Calendar of Events was one of the early projects. Jean brought up the idea of returning to Christmas Eve Luminaries and said her vision was for the Town of Buchanan to become known as “the Town that glows with love.” With this story in hand, how could we not rekindle that great event, so, we took on the project and partnered with Buchanan Elementary School to collect milk jugs in 1995.
Since that time the project has grown and has become one of the most anticipated holiday traditions drawing visitors and residents alike to downtown Buchanan to witness firsthand “Buchanan Virginia, the Town that glows with love.” This year, the Town asked the public to help us replace the old jugs with the public providing an overwhelming response with hundreds upon hundreds of gallon jugs as well as donations to cover the expense of purchasing candles to light the luminaries.
Would you like to be part of this year’s tradition?
Volunteers are invited to join us this Thursday, at 3 p.m. at the Carson Memorial Building on Main Street. We will break in to small groups to maintain COVID Guidelines as we line Main Street with Luminaries. We will gather again at 5 p.m. to begin lighting Luminaries. Volunteers are also needed 5 p.m. to help light luminaries. If you would like to volunteer, please call the Buchanan Town Hall at 540-254-1212 ext. 4.
