Photo by Matt de Simone
The holiday season is here and Botetourt County will see several upcoming Christmas events.
Fincastle
To kick the Christmas season off, an arrangement of illuminated trees will line the streets of Fincastle as the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Tinsel Trail at Courthouse Square. Guests are invited to experience the magic of beautifully decorated trees, specially designed by local businesses and organizations. Step back in time and walk the Tinsel Trail to view the beauty of the trees highlighting the evening in this historic setting. Opening night is this Friday, Dec. 1, and will include extra festivities during the evening. The decorated trees remain on display throughout the month of December. Guests may take self-guided tours throughout the month. Admission is free.
On Saturday, Fincastle hosts the annual Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. The parade route begins at Breckinridge Elementary, and proceeds up Hancock to Back Street. It follows Back Steet to the intersection of Back and Water and then proceeds across Water to Main Street. From there, it follows Main Street to Church Street, where it turns and follows Church all the way to Academy. It then follows Academy Street to Roanoke Street, where it follows Roanoke to Main Street. The parade then turns on Main Street and follows it all the way back to Hancock. Once it reaches Hancock, it follows Hancock back to the elementary school. This year’s Grand Marshal will be Joan Boothe, the town’s former clerk who retired earlier this year.
For additional information, please call the Town of Fincastle offices at 540-473-2200.
Buchanan
The Town of Buchanan will hold the Grand Illumination of the Festival of Lights at Town Park this Friday at 5:30 p.m. The lights will be on each evening following the opening weekend Mondays thru Thursday walk thru, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as drive thru with admission by donation. Lights will be on each evening through January 1.
The following Saturday, Dec. 9, the Town of Buchanan holds the annual Christmas Market during the day followed by the Christmas Parade at 4 p.m. Join hundreds as they line Main Street to cheer the arrival of Santa during the annual Buchanan Christmas Parade. Before the parade, visitors are welcome to explore Buchanan’s Main Street from one end of town to the other. The Buchanan Community Christmas Market will be set from 9 a.m. thru 3 p.m. Vendors set up around the town Christmas tree and along the sidewalk as they show and sell handmade crafts, art, antiques, and other goods and services. Main Street’s locally owned shops will be festively decorated, offering unique gifts, as well as places to eat.
Main Street (Rt. 11) will be closed between Lowe Street (north end) and Lowe Street (south end) between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the parade. The line up will start at the flea market grounds at 3 p.m. For parade application/registration (no cost) call the Town Hall at 540-254-1212 or cstump@buchanan-va.gov.
Church bells will ring at 4 p.m. announcing the beginning of the Buchanan Christmas Parade. The parade will make its way up Main Street to cheering crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Clause as they bring Christmas cheer to Buchanan. The town invites visitors to wrap up the day with a movie at the historic Buchanan Theatre on Main Street with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
For additional information call the Buchanan Town Hall at 540-254-1212.
Daleville
The fourth annual drive thru light display at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church celebrates the Christmas season once again. The event promises to be “bigger and something different each weekend.” The dates are Fridays and Saturdays in December and Christmas Eve from 5:30-9 p.m. starting Dec. 2.
Additionally, the church will host the Holiday Market & Craft Fair in partnership with the Town & Country Women’s Club beginning at 9 a.m. this Saturday.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
