BRAC sets holiday tone with pre-Black Friday Christmas sale: Sold Out!

BRAC ‘Decks the Halls’ – Photos/Roger Bianchini

The Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) led the way locally into Black Friday (Nov. 24) with a record-breaking sale of Christmas trees, wreaths and other donated items the previous Friday (Nov. 17) and Saturday when the Main Street gallery hung a “SOLD OUT” sign.

Ninety-nine trees and wreaths, all decorated by local volunteers, attracted huge crowds and raised a record $14,300 for the arts council. Last year’s tally was $11,000.

“Thankful. Grateful. Overwhelmed,” responded Executive Director Kym Crump after closing the gallery doors Saturday. “Thank you to each and everyone who contributed so much to the success of our 15^th annual ‘Deck the Halls’.”

She immediately turned to preparing for BRAC’s cocktail, art and food pairing event, challenging amateur and local mixologists to each select “a holiday inspiration” and create an artistic drink and food pairing for a Dec. 7 event at 305 E. Main Street, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  For tickets ($35) call 635-9909.The fundraisers help BRAC celebrate its 30^th year.

Returning to her original subject of “Deck the Halls,” in the BRAC “Artsgram” Crump did a “shout out” to the tree and wreath donors – “You really outdid yourselves, and we heard this comment over and over. Also thanks to the small army of volunteers that freely (gave) time, talent and dollars to make this event the success it is.”

She also recognized the following sponsors: Double H Locates LLC; Charlie’s Auto Repair; CBM Mortgage; Tim and Tammy Darr; Embrace Treatment Foster Care; Melanie Hamel; Lorraine Hultquist; Jack Evans Chevrolet; Lamb Logistics LLC; Jeff and Sondra LeHew; The Melting Pot; Danny and Donna McEathron; McGreevy Insurance; No Doubt Accounting; Michael and Jenn Patton; Royal Entertainment; Service Title; and Union Bank.