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Roanoke’s Christmas in the Village set for Dec. 1-2

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus listen to the Christmas wishes of Anna Screeton (left) and sister Zoe during Christmas in the Village in the Roanoke Public Library last year. Christmas in the Village will take place this year Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus listen to the Christmas wishes of Anna Screeton (left) and sister Zoe during Christmas in the Village in the Roanoke Public Library last year. Christmas in the Village will take place this year Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2. TAB file photo

Before Santa Claus makes his way down chimneys in Roanoke, he’ll be making his way down Main Street.

The arrival of Kris Kringle in the community on Friday evening, Dec. 1, will signal the start of Christmas in the Village, a two-day event featuring opportunities to meet Santa, purchase one-of-a-kind gifts at craft shows, enter a drawing for a $400 shopping spree and much more.

Saving his sleigh and reindeer for Christmas, Santa will make his entrance in Roanoke via fire truck. He will get dropped off at the Roanoke Public Library at 6 p.m., whereupon he will invite spectators to join him in the singing of Christmas carols, then lead the lighting of the town’s Christmas lights.

From there, Santa will head into the library and get ready for an evening of listening to the Christmas wishes of the town’s children. The jolly old elf will stick around until the wishes of all children in attendance have been heard. Hot chocolate and hot dogs will be served at the library.

Elsewhere in Roanoke, Seminary United Methodist Church will be hosting a country store and bake sale while the Cottage Event Center will present Shannon Persinger and the Eric Clancy Trio in concert.

The country store at Seminary UMC, 285 N. Seminary St., will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. while the bake sale will be going on from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Goods available for purchase at the bake sale include Christmas cookies in tins, kettle corn, breads and more. The country store and bake sale will reopen the following day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The performance at Cottage Event Center, 9524 U.S.-24N at Locust Street, will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening an hour prior. There is a fee to attend. The concert will benefit Toys for Tots and attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, Santa will make another appearance in town, this time at Cornerstone Alliance Church, where he will have breakfast with attendees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children can look forward to interacting with St. Nick and posing for pictures with him. The church, 5833E-900N, will be serving pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. The cost to attend is a freewill donation that will benefit area families in need.

A pair of craft sales will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Oak Room Event Center, 4215 E. Station Rd., will host a bazaar featuring artwork, pottery, knitted and crocheted items, honey products and more. Soup, sandwiches and drinks, along with sweets by Abigail’s Confections, will be available for purchase. The Roanoke Volunteer Fire Department will host a show boasting crafts, skincare products, makeup, jewelry and Tupperware. Customers should enter through the Main Street entrance and exit through the fire station onto High Street.

The Roanoke Chamber of Commerce will conduct a vendor and craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The entrance to the show will be on Main Street. Local businesses will showcase their goods and services, with some offering food samples. Crafts available for purchase will include knitted items, baby blankets, bibs and paper vases.

Through Dec. 23, making purchases at participating stores and restaurants in Roanoke will enter the buyer into a drawing for a $400 shopping spree. The drawing will be held on Dec. 23 and the winner will have one month to claim four $100 gift certificates to participating stores and restaurants of their choice.

“That’s a little extra something,” says Perry Collins, president of the Roanoke Chamber. “If you’re going to buy anyway, it gives you a chance to go for the $400.”

Christmas in the Village is a Roanoke Chamber of Commerce event.