‘The Season of the Spirit’ at Culpeper Community Tree Lighting

Families, friends, neighbors and citizens, at least a few hundred people, gathered on a cold Sunday evening at the Culpeper Depot for the annual Culpeper Town Center Community Tree Lighting.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were there for the holiday and Christmas themed event with musical performances by the Theatrical Arts Children’s Choir and the Blue Ridge Chorale.

MFA Studio students donned Santa costumes for their festive dance during the outdoor holiday program, also featuring Amber Rose Ballet Studio. Kona Ice was on hand with tasty snow cones and there was crafts by the Windmore Foundation for the Arts and Culpeper Girl Scouts.

Seek Lavender offered lavender-infused cotton candy and on the street, Culpeper County and Eastern View High School Band students serenaded shoppers at the open house and lighting trees sponsored by Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. end of East Davis Street, creating a magical scene.

Culpeper Mayor Frank Reaves Jr. summed up the sentiment.

“The holiday season breathes life into all of us. We are going to celebrate the season of the spirit – the spirit of hope, love, joy and peace,” he said before lighting the tree. “The holiday season is a time for giving to each other, hugging and reaching out to the community, families and friends,” the mayor said.

Reaves encouraged everyone to buy local this season. Around the city center, the windows of shops and restaurants sparkle with decorations and inside awaits a wide selection of varied and unique items and flavors that are definitely worth a visit.

Join the Downtown Culpeper Holiday Scavenger Hunt from December 1-15 to explore and discover downtown Culpeper-town, while solving clues to help Cindy Lou Who find the Grinch and bring Christmas back to life. Culpeper-ville! Pick up a map at the visitor center and use your cell phone to discover the QR codes around the city center. Drop off completed scavenger hunts at the CRI office and enter to win a Culpeper Downtown gift basket.