With input from many sources, the Council of the Town of Alderson, at their regular November meeting, established a draft listing of Christmas activities.
The Council resolved to declare the weekend of December 6, 7 and 8 as Christmas Holiday Weekend in Alderson. The festivities will begin on Friday, Dec. 6 with the Annual Christmas Parade which will line up, beginning at 5 p.m. in front of the Historic 1896 C&O Depot on the Monroe County side of Alderson. The Depot will be open, thanks to dedicated volunteers led by Tom Dameron, for brief warm-ups and bathrooms. At 6 p.m. the Queen of Lights will be crowned and she will turn on the lights on the Alderson Memorial Bridge, the Christmas tree on Railroad Plaza, and the star on the old water tower which shines over the town.
After those activities, the parade will begin. There is no advanced sign-up required for parade units but, since Santa has already said he will be in attendance, it is requested that there not be any other Santa portrayals. Any questions about the parade should be directed to City Hall at 304-445-2916.
The parade will move up Railroad Avenue and cross the Alderson Memorial Bridge; proceed up North Monroe Street and around Hemlock Avenue turning right onto Virginia Street and come down to the Alderson Community Center for the Arts and Humanities (ACCAH) where a hot drink and cookies will be available for all thanks to the Alderson Women’s Club and the Board Members of the ACCAH. For the youngsters, there will be an opportunity to meet Santa and the Alderson Lions Club will be coordinating a small treat for them.
The Lions Club will also have live Christmas trees for sale on the lot at the Greenbrier River Interpretive Center throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, all Alderson merchants will be open for Christmas shopping. At the Greenbrier River Interpretive Center, a special crafts market, sponsored by Alderson Main Street, will have one-of-a-kind gifts. Please call Amy Truesdale at 304-445-2005 to learn how to be a part of this craft market. The Depot will be open again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for shoppers who would like to take a break and visit the museum.
The members and friends of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church will host a Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to wonderful craft items, they will be offering a soup, sandwich, drink and dessert lunch for $6.
On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m., Lee and Tammy Skaggs will again host a Train Show in the Fellowship Hall of the Alderson Presbyterian Church. This Train Show has been a favorite of young and old(er) for the last several years and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever. The Historic 1896 C&O Depot will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors to the Train Show can see a small scale depot and then visit the real thing.
Alderson merchants will again be open and the Alderson Food Hub’s Holiday Open House will be held at Wolf Creek Gallery from 3 to 6 p.m. with live music as well as holiday treats.
Mayor Travis Copenhaver said, “There is really no town more beautiful than Alderson at Christmas. With the reflection of the bridge lights in the river and the star shining over the town, everyone’s heart turns toward the true meaning of this season.”