Holiday party, cookies, coloring page, Santa and more

The holiday season is upon us and our list of fun events is growing. Please mark your calendars!

December 1st:

Cookie Tour as part of the Winter WonderFestThe Depot is the pick up location for the Cookie Tour box. This tour has stops at Agora Downtown market, withSimplicity, Yellow Button, Green Hummingbird, Walkabout Outfitters, Lady Jane, Larkin Arts, OASIS Fine Arts and Craft, and Virginia Quilt Museum. The self-guided tour allows you to spend an afternoon shopping downtown and you get gourmet locally made cookies! Get your tickets HERE.

If you bring in a colored Depot on the 1st we will have a Gaines Group flashlight for you (while supplies last).

Gaines Group Coloring Page

December 1st

That same day there is an art market at Larkin Arts from noon – 6pm, photos with Santa at Hardesty Higgins Visitor’s Center from 1pm – 3pm, Polar Express at 4:30 in Court Square Theater (shop at a downtown retailer during the Winter Wonderfest and get into the show for free), Caroling throughout downtown, and the Grinch will be on the prowl. It sounds like an incredible day of fun downtown.
Christmas at the Depot

December 7th

Art Opening and Holiday party at the Depot – join us for our annual Holiday Party. Visit with Santa in the R.S. Monger & Sons Window and Door Showroom, then come upstairs to check out the goodies.

Santa at the Depot

Of course, bring your colored depot to get a Gaines Group flashlight (while supplies last). We are hosting student artists in December from Eastern Mennonite School to benefit the EMS Interact We Serve Club. This club does at least one service project for the community through the school year!

EMHS Rotary Interact

We are also thrilled to welcome back Red Wing Academy students to our space again this year.

Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held at Eastern Mennonite University on July 7-10, 2019.
Red Wing Academy Red Wing Academy

Red Wing Academy is open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students. Students will receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and will also be coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. Daily curriculum will include group classes, mini lessons, improv and jam sessions, technique and tone development, stage performance, electives, recreation, panel discussions, and more. Each day will close with a camp wide rehearsal to practice for Red Wing performance.

Throughout the 4-day workshop, students will learn several tunes to perform collectively. On Friday, July 12th, 2019, the Academy experience will culminate at Red Wing Roots Music Festival with a live, on-stage performance with The Steel Wheels.

Email academy@redwingroots.com or call 540-588-0332 for more information.

Depot Holiday Party

December 7th

Holiday Parade Downtown – the 2018 parade is themed Capture the Magic. Starting at the Rockingham County Office Building at 7:00 am this annual event brings together the entire community. Claim your space along the street route early in the day for the best views of the floats, trucks, and the big guy at the end.

Crossroad Christmas

December 8th

Christmas at Crossroads Gingerbread House Contest is returning this year. During this annual event at Crossroads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center you can experience the small strength and beauty of candles in the still and silent darkness allowing respite from the hubbub of commercialized Christmas chaos. Take this time to reflect on the experience of Advent preparations as they might have taken place 100 years ago. For tickets and more information go HERE. This annual event also includes a Gingerbread House Contest – don’t limit yourself to the traditional house – go all out and design / build something cool. We are going to serve as the design judge again this year! There will be more information coming and a good chance you will want to be named winner!!!

Gingerbread House

In addition to the traditional candlelight tour there will be hands-on family crafts, live music and singing, and holiday refreshments.