‘Christmas in July’ Brings Some Cooling Temperatures and a Touch of MUCH-Needed Rain to Downtown Front Royal

Is that Santa or ‘the Charlie Brown’ with ‘Christmas in July’ co-organizers Michael Whitlow and Sue Laurence? Below, Michael and Sue have left the Gazebo to let Santa get down to some Christmas-in-July business. And I’ll bet a bunch of those wish lists directed parents to the many table displays of July presents in waiting. – Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

A perspective from Chester St. toward the Gazebo and E. Main St.

Some table assisting ‘elves’ had their Christmas colors on and some, like this elf ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, sported their Christmas colors on their sign.

Michael Hasty opened the musical entertainment portion of the show.

We hear the music sounds pretty good over here (just out of frame to left) but there aren’t a lot of seats over here. Below, some music fans have established their seating.

One rule at the fruits and vegetables table near the live music was, once you purchase some, you CANNOT throw it at the entertainment, only offer it as a between songs snack

Wonder what kind of shopping or eating options we have over here – Element looks promising if you’re hungry.

While back on the ‘July Christmas’ side of the street there were some excellent eating options at Clay’s BBQ and DECA Tailgaters.

Then if you were more competitively oriented there were options.

It looks like Santa’s lone July reindeer and its huggy bear companion were getting a little antsy to head back to the North Pole. Okay, Santa’s got this under control. Uh oh, he didn’t bail and leave the Laurence elves in charge, did he?