The holiday season will come alive this weekend in Gloucester. One of the weekend’s highlights will be Gloucester’s Citizen’s and Holiday Parade, which begins at 2 p.m. Saturday along Main Street.
The annual parade has been a Christmas staple in Gloucester for many years, and always winds up with the highly anticipated visit from Santa Claus on a red fire engine.
Throughout the day Saturday, the annual Holiday Parade Show, featuring arts and crafts vendors, will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the Court Circle.
Also on Saturday, Gloucester Arts on Main will host its Holiday Art Fair showcasing fine arts and crafts, holiday decorations and gifts, from noon to 6 p.m. at the gallery on Main Street, Gloucester.
The Rebecca Tabb Lloyd Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will hold a Civil War Christmas Memorial Service beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bellamy United Methodist Church, Gloucester.
Later on Saturday, the Friends of the Animal Resource Foundation will host a roast/toast of retiring Virginia Del. Harvey B. Morgan (R-Middlesex) at 6:30 p.m. at Watermen’s Hall on the campus of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:30 and the roast will start at 8. Tickets for the event are $50 each. For more information, contact Jody Perkins at 695-1187 or jody5438@cox.net.
All day Saturday, Santa Claus will be escorted by members of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad as he travels through the Gloucester Point area. Children can watch for Santa between the hours of 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
On Sunday
On Sunday, Main Street merchants in Gloucester will host the annual open house from 1-5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at participating businesses. Children will also have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa Claus across from SunTrust Bank from 1-4 p.m.
Also on Sunday, Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, will host its Candlelight Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Later Sunday evening, Gloucester will host its Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. inside the Court Circle and will showcase the Petsworth Elementary School choir.
In Mathews
In Mathews, Mathews Memorial Library will host a Deck the Halls Tree Trimming Party from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Library director Bette Dillehay said an exciting addition to this year’s celebration will be an informal production of "A Christmas Carol," that will be performed at 3 p.m. by youth. It will be directed by Sherry Hamilton, Dillehay said, and everyone who wishes may participate in the performance.
Also beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Central Village Homemakers will present its Annual Community Sing-Along at Central United Methodist Church in Mathews. It will feature local talent, community singing and refreshments.
Tree of Lights
On Friday, Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester will host its inaugural Tree of Lights Gala from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Abingdon Ruritan Club, Bena. The evening’s festivities will include a cocktail reception and catered dinner, dancing and entertainment.
Tickets for this event are $50 for an individual, $75 for a couple or $350 for a table of eight friends. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.riversideonline.com/rwrh, by visiting the hospital, from the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce, WXGM or Green Gates Gifts at Gloucester Point. All proceeds will benefit the RWRH Make a Difference Fund, J. Doswell Dutton Family Care Center Capital Campaign.