By Sarah Mansheim
Last weekend was full of fun in downtown Lewisburg, as citizens gathered throughout the weekend to celebrate the holidays.
On Saturday night, about 125 people came to the city green space to celebrate the annual tree lighting hosted by the Lewisburg in Bloom committee. The Carnegie Children’s Choir and the John Wesley Choir sang, and people enjoyed refreshments and fellowship.
Lewisburg merchants had participated in the Illuminate Lewisburg Holiday Decorating Contest, and the winners were announced over the weekend, with Patina taking First Place, Yarid’s taking Second Place and Greenbrier Real Estate taking third. In the Seasonal Sizzle category, High Country Boutique and Gallery won the First Place prize with Harmony Ridge Gallery winning second and Sunflower Soul winning third.
Participating merchants included: Aggie’s Brick House Antiques, Bella the Corner Gourmet, Edith’s Store, First National Bank, Greenbrier Real Esate, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Harmony Ridge Gallery, High Country Boutique, Love Child, Osage Pecan Co. of Lewisburg, The Open Book, Patina, Second Look Thrift & Gift, Serenity Now Outfitters, Sunflower Soul, Suzanne Perilli Hancock Interiors, The Tutoring Center, Wolf Creek Gallery and Yarid’s entered the contest. Judges were TAG Galyean, Carling McManus and Heather Falls
Photos of the tree lighting ceremony and the downtown shop windows are available on the city of Lewisburg’s Facebook page.
On Sunday, shoppers took to the streets in order to celebrate the town’s Holiday Open House by shopping for others –and themselves — and tasting the cookies, holiday dips and hot cider available in every store. There were carriage rides through downtown, and Santa Claus visited with children in the lobby of City National Bank.
The United Way of the Greenbrier Valley stood to benefit from all this hubbub, with Love Child and Wolf Creek Gallery donating $1 for every completed wish list to the organization. The wish list fundraising initiative continues through December 23.
Also, the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center hosted the United Way’s Holiday By Design, auctioning wreaths and Christmas trees with funds benefitting area food banks and the Warming Hearts and Hands emergency heating assistance program. Folks were invited to vote for their favorite wreath for $1 per vote and a chance to win an iPad. Those funds also benefitted the United Way. Executive Director Cindy Lavender-Bowe said the wreath with the most votes was the “Best of West Virginia” wreath created by Antique Cabins and Barns, and Peggy Brown won the iPad raffle.
The United Way of the Greenbrier Valley’s annual fundraising campaign is ongoing; as of November 21, $88,485 has been raised, which is 35 percent of the $250,000 goal. The campaign ends Apr. 1, 2015. Contact the United Way of the Greenbrier Valley at 304-647-3783, or visit www.unitedwaygreenbrier.org to donate or for more information.
