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As the holiday season approaches, the Virginia Military Institute is planning festivities not only on the VMI post, but also at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and the Jackson House Museum.
Spirit Night
VMI will welcome visitors to “Carols in the Courtyard” Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Members of the community will gather with cadets in the courtyard of Old Barracks to hear carols performed by VMI musicians. The VMI Chaplain’s Office will host a candlelight service in Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. following the conclusion of “Carols in the Courtyard.”
Parades
VMI rats, or first-year cadets, will march in the Lexington Christmas Parade, to be held Friday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Lexington. The VMI Regimental Band, with pipes and drums, will appear in the Dominion Richmond Christmas parade for the 29th time since 1989. That parade will be Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10:15 a.m. on Broad Street.
VMI Museum Holiday Open House
The VMI Museum, located in Memorial Hall, will hold its annual holiday open house Thursday, Nov. 30, from noon to 6 p.m. There will be refreshments, door prize drawings, and discounts on many items in the store.
Jackson House Museum
The Jackson House Museum will host “Christmas at the Jacksons,” Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Step back in time and experience Christmas in 1858 while interacting with costumed interpreters. Visitors will decorate a Christmas tree with handmade gifts, churn butter in the kitchen, and help visitors from 1858 choose the proper outfit for dinner. Last tour will be at 6:40 p.m.
Admission for the event is nonperishable food for humans and/ or pets to benefit the Rockbridge Area Relief Association food pantry.
For more information on “Christmas at the Jacksons,” call (540) 464-7704 or visit www.vmi.edu/jhm.
Christmas On The Farm
The New Market Battlefield State Historical Park will be the site for “Christmas on the Farm,” to be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, located in New Market.
Explore the museum, make crafts, enjoy festive treats, and see a special Christmas film. Take a step back into 1859 and visit the Bushong family as they cook, sing, and tell stories in anticipation of a special Christmas visitor. Stop by the military camp and see how soldiers celebrated Christmas far from home in 1864.
Event tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 and can be purchased at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Event prices are $10 per adult (ages 13 and older), $6 per youth (ages 6-12), and children 5 and under are free. Bring two nonperishable canned food items to benefit our local food pantry to receive $1 off the ticket price.
For more information call toll free 1-866-515-1864 or visit www.vmi.edu/newmarket.
