Tourism Tuesday with Jenna & Kary from Shenandoah County Tourism
Nov 29, 2016
We were joined in the studio for Tourism Tuesday with Jenna & Kary from Shenandoah County Tourism Department. We talked about so many things happening this holiday season in Shenandoah County. Below is a recap of our conversation. Top Six Things to do in Shenandoah County to start the Holiday season and get everyone in the Spirit The first weekend in December is the best weekend to visit Shenandoah County to see how local businesses and attractions in small towns are kicking off the holiday season. From Galleries to Wineries, Antique Shops, Historic sites and cafes, there is something uniquely “Shenandoah” about celebrating community and the holiday spirit. Here are six different special events to warm hearts and welcome folks to Shenandoah County Holiday Homes Tour in Woodstock December 3 Featuring four private homes and four historical buildings, all within a few blocks of one another, decorated for the season and welcoming visitors on December 3, 2016 from 11am to 4pm. The event is sponsored by the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce with all proceeds going to support the Woodstock Museum and the Shenandoah Garden Club of Woodstock. The tour will originate at the Woodstock Museum’s Marshall House where ticket-holders will receive a program and map. Admission is $15 in advance, and tickets are on sale at five different Locations: The Edinburg Mill, The Woodstock Café, PJ Designs, The Woodstock Brewhouse, and Jackson’s Corner Café in New Market. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event for $20 at the Woodstock Museum only. (Inclement weather date December 4) Christmas on the Farm in New Market December 3rd At the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, visit with living historians at the historic Bushong Farm and discover how a family carries on in the face of a national crisis. There will be games to play, stories to hear, refreshments, singing and a visit from a special Christmas guest. Then, visit with the soldiers of Company F, 51st Virginia Infantry and bring them Christmas cheer from hearth and home. Lend a hand with chores or simply join in the holiday celebration. Tickets may be purchased at the Museum on the day of the event. For more information, call The Virginia Museum of the Civil War at 866-515-1864. Holiday Open Studio Tour December 3 & 4 As you travel the Shenandoah County Artisan Trail from New Market to Strasburg, Virginia, visit Six Potters with six unique styles, in six different studios. Come and see the dynamic quality of clay and fire from six different points of view. Five locations boast tours of the Artist's working space and sales of their collections of work plus refreshments from local farmers markets and restaurants. The Sixth potter will show her work at the Shenandoah County Artisan Trail location, Pot Town Organics, a shop that sells organic gardening supplies, hydroponics, lights, and canning and preserving supplies located in the heart of Downtown Strasburg Updates, progress and details about the Tour including addresses and contact information can be seen on our Holiday Open Studio Tour FACEBOOK PAGE or visit http://vastudiotour.wixsite.com/vastudiotour Special Vineyard and Winery events A tasting room at one of the eight different wineries in Shenandoah County is a great place to visit with friends and family to get the season started off in a festive way. Two of the vineyards are hosting special holiday events during the first weekend in December. In Toms Brook, North Mountain Vineyard keeps with the owner’s German Heritage as they host a Bavarian Christkindl Market from 12-5 pm on December 3 where you can Shop for your German Specialties and they will be Serving Bratwurst and Glühwein. There will be Live music by Rick, Bill & Travelin’ Jack from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Then more live music by Bill Vaughan from 6:00 – 9:00 pm Shenandoah Vineyards is hosting their Holiday open house on Saturday and Sunday December 3 & 4 from 10am-5pm. welcoming the Holiday season in a cozy atmosphere with warm mulled wine, cookies and goodies. Route 11 Gallery Hop December 3 & 4 Visit three different Main Street gallery locations in a twelve mile stretch of Route 11 in Shenandoah County each holding demonstrations and special events. 7 East Gallery in Woodstock is offering weaving and Glass painting demonstrations as well as their current display of local artists work. Penelope’s Café and Gallery in Edinburg will host a “Fido-Photo-OP” with Santa on Saturday, inviting visitors to bring their pets to have their photo taken with Santa. Then on Sunday from noon to 3 is a Book Signing with local artist and writer Tom Chipley. Penelope’s café consistently displays local art and serves the most amazing fresh baked pastries, unique soups and creative sandwiches. In the next town, The Art Group Gallery in Mount Jackson is presenting gallery tours, and a variety of artist demonstrations throughout the weekend. 10am-5pm at all three locations. Small Town Parades and Tree Lighting Every year folks in the small towns of Shenandoah County gather for annual Christmas Parades and tree lighting ceremonies. Each town hosts their own version with children singing, lights twinkling, hot chocolate and sweets. Carols, dancing, games, stories and of course Santa. Immerse yourself in the joy of one, or visit them all!
- Edinburg: “Christmas in Edinburg” December 1st Parade begins at 6pm and tree lighting & festivities just after
- Woodstock: “Light up Woodstock” December 2nd begins at 545pm at the Courthouse in the center of town.
- Strasburg: “Home for the Holidays” December 3rd Parade and Tree lighting
- New Market: “Tis the Season” December 3 Parade at 5pm, and a tree lighting with festivities at the Town Hall just after.
- Toms Brook: Christmas Parade December 4 beginning at 5pm.
- Mount Jackson: December 10th Parade begins at 3:30pm on the North end of town and ends with an Open House from 4 to 5:30 at the town hall with Santa visiting and cookies & cocoa.
Small-town holiday events in Shenandoah County to get you in the spirit! What better way to greet the Holiday season than with small town parades, twinkling lights on street lamps and carols of Children’s’ choirs? Are you ready for a Norman Rockwell picture of snowy decorations, cold air, and warm cocoa? Look no further than the towns of Shenandoah County whose historic Main Streets sparkle with a vibrant energy as they welcome the Christmas Season and the coming New Year, with many of the towns hosting special events for residents and guests alike. Here are just a few events that are sure to warm even the Grinchiest of bah-humbug hearts: CHRISTMAS IN EDINBURG Thursday, December 1, 2016 PARADE BEGINS AT 6:00 P.M. Please join us after the Parade for the lighting of the County’s largest living Christmas tree and let the sounds of the Central High School Band bring you into the Christmas spirit. After the tree lighting Ceremony and Santa is in place, bring the kiddies inside the Volunteer Fire Department for crafts and games complete with prizes warm treats and everyone’s favorite Santa!!! Click here for more information. LIGHT UP WOODSTOCK: Woodstock, December 2, 2016 From 11am-4pm the Town of Woodstock is hosting a Holiday Homes Tour. Beginning at 5:45pm, The Youth Choir will be singing on the Historic Courthouse steps to begin the festivities and at 6pm the parade begins from the shopping center at the North end of town to Indian Spring Street to the South. After the Parade, the Mayor and a special guest will light the Town Christmas Tree. Businesses will stay open late, entertainment on Court Square and Santa will make an appearance. Click here for more information. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Strasburg, December 3, 2106 Strasburg is the place to be on Saturday, December 3rd Breakfast at the Fire Department, a book sale at the library, Santa Claus at First Bank, multiple open houses with snacks and friendly faces, a children's shopping extravaganza at Lydia's Clothes Basket, a fun and festive Christmas Parade, a tree lighting ceremony, caroling, pictures in the gazebo and MORE! Visit www.strasburgvachamber.com for more information. TIS THE SEASON: New Market December 3, 2016 From Early morning to after dark, the town of New Market is pulling out all the stops beginning at 9am with Open Houses of many Local Businesses and Local Artists on Congress Street and a Book Sale at the New Market Library. Santa will be at the library too with goodie bags for the kids and face painting. Then at 5pm it’s a Christmas Parade on Congress Street followed by a tree lighting Ceremony with the Stonewall Jackson Choir at the New Market Town Hall. There you can enjoy homemade cookies, and a warm beverage. Then top off the evening at 7pm with a showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Rouss Center for the Performing Arts ($5 admission). Details and parade entry can be found here at the town website. CHRISTMAS PARADE & OPEN HOUSE: Mount Jackson December 10, 2016 Parade Line-up at 2:45 p.m. at Valley Fertilizer-Main St. Parade begins at 3:30 P.M. and travels south on Main St. ending at Native American. Entry fee for parade participants is 3 cans of non-perishable food to be donated to the Food Pantry. There will be an Open House at the Town Hall is from 4 to 5:30 at town hall with Santa visiting and cookies and cocoa donated by the SJHS Home Ec. Dept. Kids can stop by the town office to register their name for the drawing to help the mayor light the town Christmas Tree at 5 p.m. Visit www.mountjackson.com for more information. A few other wonderful Holiday Events in Shenandoah County include: Holiday Homes Tour in Woodstock Featuring four private homes and four historical buildings, all within a few blocks of one another, decorated for the season and welcoming visitors on December 3, 2016 from 11am to 4pm. The event is sponsored by the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce with all proceeds going to support the Woodstock Museum and the Shenandoah Garden Club of Woodstock. The tour will originate at the Woodstock Museum’s Marshall House where ticket-holders will receive a program and map. Admission is $15 in advance, and tickets are on sale at five different Locations: The Edinburg Mill, The Woodstock Café, PJ Designs, The Woodstock Brewhouse, and Jackson’s Corner Café in New Market. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event for $20 at the Woodstock Museum only. (Inclement weather date December 4) Holiday Open House at Hupps Hill Civil War Park Saturday December 10, 2016 from 9am-5pm Offering Free Admission to the Museum, Refreshments, and Gift Shop Specials. Christmas on the Farm in New Market December 3, 2016 At the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, visit with living historians at the historic Bushong Farm and discover how a family carries on in the face of a national crisis. There will be games to play, stories to hear, refreshments, singing and a visit from a special Christmas guest. Then, visit with the soldiers of Company F, 51st Virginia Infantry and bring them Christmas cheer from hearth and home. Lend a hand with chores or simply join in the holiday celebration. Tickets may be purchased at the Museum on the day of the event. For more information, call The Virginia Museum of the Civil War at 866-515-1864. Holidays at Bryce Resort December 24 – Christmas Eve Buffet – 5-8pm $26.95 Adults; $12.50 Kids ages 4 – 10. Kids 3 and under Free. Tip & tax not included. December 25 – Christmas Buffet - 5-8pm $26.95 Adults; $12.50 Kids ages 4 – 10. Kids 3 and under Free. December 31 - New Year’s Eve Dinner – 6 – 10pm Restaurant. $40 Adults; $20 kids ages 4 – 10. Kids 3 and under free. Tip & tax not included December 31 – Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Copper Kettle, 9pm – 2am. $20 Cover until midnight; $10 after midnight. Includes party favors, snacks until 11pm, DJ Doug, Fireworks, and Torchlight ski-down (weather dependent) at 11:45pm. Must be 21 to attend Reservations are a MUST for The Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dinners. Please contact nan@bryceresort.com or charity@bryceresort.com for reservations or more information.