As the holiday season approaches, festivities are being planned not only on the Virginia Military Institute 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” Thursday, 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. 5, 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. 6, 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. 12. Door prize drawings, special discounts and offers on many items in the store will run throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday refreshments will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jackson House Museum The Jackson House Museum will host “Christmas at the Jacksons’,” Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Visitors will step back in time and experience Christmas in 1859 while interacting with costumed interpreters. Those attending will sing carols, churn butter in the kitchen, and help guests from 1859 choose the proper outfit for dinner. The last tour will be at 7:40 p.m.
Admission for the event is canned 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. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, located in New Market.
Visitors will be able to explore the museum, make crafts, enjoy festive treats, and see a special Christmas film. They will take a step back to 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. 6 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. Receive one free admission with the donation of four nonperishable food items. Donations will benefit the local food pantry. For more information call 540-740-3101 or visit www.vmi.edu/newmarket.
