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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” Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Members of the community will gather with cadets in the courtyard of 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. 6, at 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Lexington.
The VMI Regimental Band, and Pipe Band will appear in the Dominion Energy Richmond Christmas parade for the 30th time since 1989. That parade will be Saturday, Dec. 7, 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 Friday, Dec. 13 from noon to 5 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’” Sunday, Dec. 15, 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.
The last tour will start 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. 7, 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.
Event tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 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), children 5 and under are free. Bring two non-perishable canned food items to benefit the local food pantry to receive $1 off the ticket price.
For more information call (540) 740-3101 or visit www. vmi.edu/newmarket.
