By Madeline Otten, Correspondent
The holiday season came a little early this year with Thanksgiving falling sooner in November than in previous years. Radio stations, shopping malls, and grocery stores have all taken the opportunity to blast their festive playlists to get people in the mood for the holidays. As winter approaches, Fluvanna County is also preparing for the holiday season.
To kick off the season, the Fluvanna Community Singers performed Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, singing old and new songs of the season under director Scott David.
Lake Monticello Owners’ Association also celebrated Dec. 1 at the Ashlawn Clubhouse, where guests decorated cookies, drank hot cocoa, and took photos with Santa.
Fluvanna County Parks and Recreation will host an open house Dec. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Pleasant Grove. All ages are welcome to join the fun with crafts, light refreshments, and outdoor tree lighting. To help the county get into the holiday spirit, admission is one non-perishable food item for Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA).
MACAA serves the City of Charlottesville as well as the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. Its mission is “to improve the lives of people with low income by helping them become self-reliant, thereby enhancing the economic vitality and well-being of the community.”
The following day (Dec. 8) the county will continue to celebrate with the Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration from 2-4 p.m. at the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center. Admission to the event is also a canned good donation or non-perishable item for MACAA. Holiday performances consist of Fluvanna’s Flutterwheels, Empowered Players, Brushwood’s School of Dance and 2 Wishes: Mike D’Antoni and Joy Kuhar. All are encouraged to take advantage of the free photo with Santa Claus.
Cunningham Creek will also be hosting multiple events throughout December at their vineyard to help spread some holiday cheer. On Dec. 8 the vineyard is also hosting Santa from 1-5 p.m. and guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for MACAA.
After Santa, guests can join the Fluvanna SPCA for wine, food, music, silent auction and raffle at the 12 Strays Soiree from 6:30-9 p.m. to support the animals. Tickets are available for purchase at Happy Tails in Palmyra as well as the Fluvanna SPCA.
Cunningham Creek will also hold a Perfect Paring of Dessert and Wine Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., and on Dec. 15 county residents are encouraged to show off their favorite ugly holiday sweater and enter into the Ugly Sweater Queen and King Contest starting at 3 p.m. Guests may also reserve a spot on the same day at Cunningham Creek’s Cork Ornament Class from 2-5 p.m. and bring their decoration back home.
Empowered Players will perform the classic animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas to help discover the true meaning of Christmas. The play is set for Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. and tickets will be sold at the door for $5.
On Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., members within Active Adult Center are invited to a free event at the Fluvanna Community Center. This event welcomes visitors age 55 and up with encouragement to sign up and will consist of a delightful holiday lunch and a drawing for raffle prizes. Santa will also be making a visit for local preschoolers on this special day.
Last but not least, as the end of the month approaches, be sure to take a drive around the neighborhood and enjoy decorated houses. Bring along your favorite holiday CD or tune in to Z95.1 for some festive tunes. Also be on the lookout for some houses that have their lights set in coordination with certain radio stations. Those that do will have a sign in front of the house letting curious drivers know the correct station.
