AMT Show Ushers in Holiday Season for Area
Parades, Celebrations Planned in Coming WeeksStaff Report
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With December around the corner it's time to bring out the Advent and activities calendars as the holiday season begins. Throughout the region, towns will have parades, organizations will host events and churches will celebrate the season.
Christmas entertainment had its official kick-off on Friday night with the opening of the American Mountain Theater's annual "Christmas Spectacular." More than 400 people filled the house as members old and new took to the stage to bring the holiday spirit to Elkins.
"It's a delight," said Joanne Sikarskie of Elkins, who attended th show with her husband and two grandsons from Parsons. Other relatives of Sikarskie's came all the way from South Carolina to experience AMT for the first time.
"This is the first time we've come to the Christmas show," Sikarskie said.
Both grandsons agreed that the penguin version of "Let It Snow" was their favorite.
"I was touched by the song she (Beverly Sexton) dedicated to her parents," Sikarskie said.
AMT has scheduled four Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. this Sunday, and Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Evening shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. today, and during the month of December every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Dec. 20. All seats must be reserved by calling 630-3040 or 800-943-3670.
Holiday festivities in Elkins continue with the annual Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Friday. The parade route begins in south Elkins and will continue up Davis Avenue, turn left onto Fourth Street and end at Railroad Avenue. A Kriss Kringle Christmas Market is also in the planning stages for the town square from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Santa will make an appearance during the parade then arrive at the Christmas tree located outside the depot on the town square. At the tree, Santa will take "wish lists" and distribute treats to children. Local performers will entertain parade-goers and holiday shoppers in the town square following the parade. Some downtown businesses will have extended hours the evening of the parade.
On Dec. 6, Beverly is having an "Old Fashioned Christmas" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include the grand opening of the Beverly Courthouse exhibit, a visit from Victorian Santa, arts and crafts and museum tours. Specialty shops will be open throughout the day.
The Beverly celebration will also include a special presentation of "Christmas 1863," a living history in the home of one of Beverly's most famous residents, which features an evening of fireside readings and music from the 1863 war time letters of the Chenoweths. The event is by reservation only by calling 636-2650.
Also on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Beverly Presbyterian Church is hosting a Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon. The luncheon, which includes soup, salad, sandwich, dessert and drink, is $5 per person.
Harman will welcome the holidays with a Christmas Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Harman Fire Hall. Proceeds from the sale of handmade crafts and gifts will benefit Valley of the Dry Bones Ministry.
The Elkins Junior Woman's Club will host Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Dec. 13 at the Elkins/Randolph Family YMCA. Tickets are $5 and are available at the YMCA, Main Line Books and Down Home Pediatrics. Proceeds benefit Project Safe Graduation.
"Frosty's Winter Frolic," will be presented by The Old Brick Playhouse and the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad on Dec. 6 and Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. The train rides provide family time, a staged reading from "Frosty the Snowman," singing, face painting, refreshments and a visit from Santa. To make reservations for "Frosty's Winter Frolic," call 1-877-MTN-RAIL.
The Elkins National Guard Armory will host a Holiday Craft Show on Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. Approximately 30 vendors from the area are expected for the event.
The Philippi Main Street Committee will kick off the holiday season in Barbour County on Dec. 5 with a variety of activities. A parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. with line up at Subway. The theme is "A Magical Christmas" and prizes will be awarded to those entries that best reflect the theme. Following the parade, children can visit with Santa at the Barbour County Courthouse gazebo.
The annual holiday craft show, sponsored by the Philip Barbour High School band, will also be on Dec. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the basement of the Philippi City Building. The craft show will feature more than 20 vendors with a variety of items for sale.
The Philippi Main Street Committee and the Philippi Convention and Visitors Bureau are sponsoring Breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. Dec. 6 in Heiner Hall on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus College. Children younger than age 12 will be admitted free, while adults and children 12 and older will be charged a fee. Reservations are required. For additional information and reservations, call 457-3700.
Mountain Hospice will host Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13 from 7 a.m. to noon at the Junior Community Building. Santa will be present from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. A silent auction, inside yard sale and Christmas gift basket giveaway will also be part of the event.
In Belington, the annual Christmas Parade will step off at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6. Lineup will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Sheetz. Following the parade, Santa Claus will make a visit at the Belington Senior Center and give out treats to the kids. Craft tables will be on display and a soup and sandwich luncheon will be offered. The Belington Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the activities.
Luminaries will again be placed along Crim Avenue and across the Belington Bridge on Dec. 20. Anyone interested in helping should call Kathy Hart at 823-2557.
Downtown Buckhannon will offer a flurry of events over the next few weeks. The Four Fridays Before Christmas began Friday with participating merchants extending shopping hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The extended hours will continue each Friday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.
The Buckhannon-Upshur Convention and Visitors Bureau will present the 2008 "Deck the Hall" Christmas Parade on Dec. 5. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. and follow the route of Madison, Locust and Main streets, ending at the Buckhannon Fire Department. Following the parade, Santa will make his first appearance of the season in Buckhannon at the Fire Department. Parents and children will be able to meet Santa, receive candy and make their Christmas wishes to Santa.
Bill Kelley Inc. at 77 W. Main St. will host Santa from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec 12. The main showroom will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland straight from the North Pole.
The annual Southern Upshur Business Association's (SUBA) Christmas Parade will take place in Rock Cave at 1 p.m. Dec. 6. The parade will begin at the Rock Cave Elementary School and travel down Route 4 to Banks District Fire Department.
Marlinton kicks off the holiday season with the annual Christmas parade and arrival of Santa Claus on Friday at 7 p.m. The parade begins on Second Avenue.
Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a tree lighting and caroling at 6 p.m. at the depot, followed by an open house and refreshments at its new headquarters in the Van Reenen house.
The Opera House Foundation is sponsoring a holiday craft show at the Pocahontas County Opera House on Third Avenue Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, call Lauren at 799-7386 or 799-4009.
