Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio adds a Swinging aspect to Front Royal’s Annual ‘Christmas on Main’ – Even the dogs loved it

This reporter took a Royal Examiner still-shot camera to the opening hours of Saturday’s “Christmas on Main” official launch of the Christmas season in Front Royal to document events leading up to the Town’s Christmas Parade and the Santa-assisted lighting of the Town Christmas Tree.

The Christmas on Main crowd began building early between 11 a.m. and noon. And it built throughout the day leading up to the Christmas Parade and official lighting of the Town Christmas tree at the E. Main and Chester St. park Gazebo. Royal Examiner still photos Roger Bianchini

Among earlier events promised by co-sponsors, the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Front Royal, the town government, and others included a Merry Market, Music & Entertainment, Carriage Rides, and Kids Activities. “We’re working to make this the best one yet!” the Chamber posted online. And from the reports in our related feature story on the Parade and Christmas Tree lighting, it appears that goal may have been achieved.

But as we roamed the early hours of the event from around noon to 2 p.m., we wondered what types of Music & Entertainment and Kids Activities we would find as we crossed Chester Street into the Gazebo parking lot, the area for vendors. One of the first vendor tents we encountered indicated that the event would be very dog-friendly.

One of the first vendors off Chester Street made it clear it was very dog-friendly.

That information taken in, we tried to convince one of the first dogs we encountered to cooperate on a feature shot. See the record of that encounter with Minda below.

And speaking of dogs, when experienced attendee Minda refused to stand still and pose for this photographer, owner Mary slipped us a treat to offer Minda for a little one-on-one attention. As you can see, it worked!

Another dog, appearing to be at least part Husky, was part of the early gathering of attendees eager for the entertainment to begin.

Another dog attendee, lower left, whose name we didn’t get, appears to be watching for the advertised entertainment to begin at or around the Gazebo. And our anonymous dog friend wasn’t alone in gathering for the entertainment to begin.

What they and we saw was an expanding, relatively young crowd assembling at the Gazebo and around its steps.

In fact, we soon learned that many of the younger patrons gathering at the Gazebo would be a key part of the musically supported entertainment.

And what might they be gathering to watch, and/or participate in? Check the sequence of photos below for an overview of the promised “Music & Entertainment,” featuring a variety of age groups and dance styles. An online inquiry verified that most, if not all, these dancers were from the nearby Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio at 529 East Main Street.

So, what kind of entertainment would that be? Dancing it would appear from the following photos, if not necessarily in the order they appeared. And from all the ‘jumping and jiving’ that went on, it appeared the source of that dancing was the Jig ‘n’ Jive Dance Studio, not far away at 529 East Main St.

In response to our later questions about the performances and Jig’n’ Jive’s ties to “Christmas on Main,” we were told that the Studio has approximately 200 students, ages 3 to mid-50s. “The dance styles presented were Irish, Swing, Ballroom, and Country Line Dance. The entire 1-hour performance was presented by the Jig ‘n’ Jive by our dancers. Dancing before the parade has become our annual tradition, and is a dancer’s favorite. I think we’ve been performing since we opened back in 2013!”

An instructor called some of the younger dancers to take their starting position marks. And readied them to leave those marks and RUN before those marks were returned to.

And the dog we saw earlier, waiting for the entertainment to begin, may now be wondering if it will be allowed to join in.

And some of the older dancers are ‘ready, steady, GO’ — and WHOA, some of those girls are going airborne.

Some of the girls may be warning their partners that if they launch them, they had better be there for the catch. And below is a final shot of the musically accompanied outstanding dancing entertainment made a part of ‘Christmas on Main’ in Front Royal, VA this final month of 2025.

We’ll end with a nod to the variety of vendors present. And apologies to those not included.

Front Royal 2025 Christmas Parade Draws Record Crowd and Holiday Cheer