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Nothing says holidays in Williamsburg to me like one of the very best annual traditions in December, the Christmas Parade.
It’s the epitome of a small-town experience: If you’re watching the parade, you see people, groups and businesses you know; and if you are in the parade, you see dozens and dozens of people you know waving happily curbside along the route.
Over my many years of watching the parade, the weather has varied. Sometimes it’s “keep the mittens on” weather, with kids bundled up with blankets in wagons and peppermint hot chocolate (better not forget that!). In other years, it’s balmy and warm and not at all what most people think of as Christmastime weather.
But several unique things that I’m delighted—and hope you will be, too—to see each year include the following:
• The llamas: What could be more surprising in a holiday-themed parade than a group of llamas wearing Santa hats and antlers coming down the street? It gets me every year! They hail from a place called Llamasburg.
• The Wee Beasties: This is the name of the Scottish Terriers dog group, which is a fantastic name for these Scotties. The dogs are always adorable, yet dignified. I also love how other dog breed groups have joined in, including the Bernese Mountain Dogs, who look warm in their thick coats, and usually agree to let their humans hook them up to a cart or sleigh.
• Jazzercise: Every year I take a picture of this group, to send to a friend who used to be a member. The Jazzercise group shows off their dance moves the entire parade. Such stamina!
• The Fife and Drum Corp alumni:
Each year the Fife and Drum Corps alums return to the parade to join in. It’s a wonderful tradition that they can mix in even after years away. They define espirit de corps, with their pride and fellowship.
• Beyond Boobs: These ladies and gents have SO. MUCH. FUN. in decorated bras, colorful tutus and wands. The whole group is escorted by the semi-truck Ma’am O’Gram to remind people that breast health is important. The spirit of the group is a delight, even thought their message is a serious one.
If you have time after the parade this year, consider touring around town and basking in the kick off to the holiday season with colonial-era decorations on homes and shops in the Historic Area.
Also this first big holiday weekend of the season, after the Christmas Parade (Saturday, December 3 at 8 a.m.), be sure to take part in the Green Spring Garden Club’s Christmas Homes Tour (Saturday, December 3 starting at 9:30 a.m.) and then the fireworks and festivities of the Grand Illumination (Sunday, December 4 starting at 5 p.m.).
I always reserve the whole weekend for these activities, marking the official start of the holidays for me.
Now, time to grab my skates and hit the ice rink and drink some hot cider. Happy Holidays! See you at the parade!
To read more about these festive holiday events visit:
Christmas Parade: williamsburgcc.com/parade
Garden Club Homes Tour: greenspringgardenclub.org/christmas-homes-tour
Grant Illumination: colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/hol-grand-illumination/