Early Christmas on Main Street in Front Royal

It was getting to be a bit like Christmas Friday evening, November 17, when the Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) literally decked its hall at 305 Main Street with wreaths and decorated trees and other holiday fare.

People flocked to and crowded into BRAC’s merrily lit gallery, attracted by food, drink, and the opportunity to purchase a unique wreath or Christmas tree early in the holiday season. It was the 15^th annual “Deck the Halls” celebration.

BRAC executive director Kym Crump reported some 95 trees and wreaths plus many donated silent and live auction items were available this year, many being bought on “Holly, Jolly Saturday” (Nov. 18) and available until the supplies run out towards the end of the month. Crump has “hostessed” the event since its inception in 2002 when, she recalled, just 40 decorated trees, that year standing six-feet tall, were offered for sale and launched BRAC’s major fundraising event.

“We later had to reduce the size of the trees to a more manageable size, like three to four feet,” she said.

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Blue Ridge Arts Council annual Deck the Halls Christmas tree auction fundraiser – Photos/Roger Bianchini

Each year since, live fir trees have been distributed to anyone volunteering to decorate them a few weeks before the sale, which in Front Royal kicks off the holiday season. Crump said in 2016 approximately $10,000 was raised to keep BRAC in business for another 12 months. She expected an increase this year after seeing Tom Eschelman ably handle the live auction.

Sondra LeHew, past president, and newly elected president Mary Ruth Alred Follett, were among the greeters this year for an eclectic crowd that included local business operators, politicians, artists, teachers, parents, kids and Santa Claus.

Seems appropriate that Santa and his elf would come from the chilly climbs of C&C Frozen Treats

A BOLD seasonal fashion statement