Fredericksburg’s new Christmas tree went up a few weeks ago, thanks to the efforts of the Fredericksburg Main Street program. Now it’s time to add the lights and make the magic.
Fredericksburg Main Street Executive Director Chris Allen is excited about making the holidays ever bigger and bolder this year. Thanks to a $75,000 Downtown Investment Grant through Virginia Main Street, Allen and his staff purchased a new 30-foot reusable and expandable tree for Riverfront Park, plus three installations for photo opportunities.
“We’ve outgrown Hurkamp Park,” Allen said. “This grant was perfect for us. The city used to do a lot of decorating for the holidays. I think the budget for it shrunk, and everything got more expensive.”
A tree will still be placed in Hurkamp Park, along with decorations by the parks and recreation department, plus one of the new photo opp installations (the other two are at Riverfront Park).
Allen also used the grant to add festive holiday lights to buildings in the 600 to 1000 blocks of Caroline Street.
The annual downtown Holiday Open House is the official kickoff to the season with shops offering extended shopping hours and in-store specials. Downtown businesses get in the spirit of the season with unique gift offerings, handcrafted ornaments, door prizes and discounts. The holiday open house weekend runs all day Saturday and Sunday.
This year, the open house weekend is combined with the tree lighting, run by the Economic Development and Tourism office, to provide more of a holiday festival atmosphere, Allen said.
“My goal, since the tree is expandable, is to get more funds to make it bigger. I want to grow the tree,” he added.
Saturday evening, Santa and Mayor Kerry Devine will kick off the countdown to the tree lighting from 5-7 p.m. There will be crafts, music, activities and treats, plus a performance by Avery Ballet. Hot cocoa stations will be set up and families can RSVP to take photos with Santa at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center.
Later this month, watch for the arrival of a skating rink downtown.
