Photo Credit: Highland County Chamber of Commerce
2020 Update: Due to unfortunate circumstances and out of an abundance of caution, the Winter Vendor Market at The Highland Center has been canceled on Friday and Saturday. Visiting with Santa Claus will be drive-through only at The Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive from 10 am – 1 pm. Please do not get out of your vehicle. There will also be a mailbox set up from December 5th to 23rd for anyone who would like to mail a letter to Santa. For more event info, please visit this link.
Support local businesses, enjoy the Winter Vendor Market, visit with Santa, and enjoy holiday displays!
It’s been a tough year, so let’s spread some cheer! Wintertide, which is brought to you by the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2020 in Highland County, Virginia. This year’s event will consist of a drive-through visit with Santa, Winter Vendor Market, local shopping and specials, and holiday displays and lights.
Santa Claus will take time out of his busy schedule to swing by The Highland Center in Monterey from 10 am – 1 pm. Due to COVID-19, we want to keep Santa and the children safe this holiday season. You may visit Santa outdoors at the pavilion at The Highland Center safely from your car or at a safe distance – the choice is yours! If you do not wish to get out of the car, you may slowly drive by and wave at Santa. If you would like to get out of your car to visit Santa, one of Santa’s helpers will instruct you with what to do at a safe distance. Only one family will be allowed out of their car at a time, and we ask that participants follow directions and designated area spaces and adhere to COVID-19 precautions for everyone’s safety. There will also be a mailbox set up from December 5th to the 23rd for anyone who would like to mail a letter to Santa!
Photo Credit: Highland County Chamber of Commerce
The Highland Center’s Winter Vendor Market returns for two days to provide shopping opportunities for all types of gifts and crafts, including maple syrup, candles, handmade sewn items, baked goods, jewelry, soaps, and much more! The market runs from 12 – 6 pm on Friday, December 4th and from 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, December 5th, and you can view all participating vendors under the “Winter Vendor Market” listing on the Chamber’s website. (A facemask will be required, and six-foot social distancing will be in effect.) If you are interested in participating as a vendor or have questions, please call The Highland Center at (540) 468-1922.
Local stores and restaurants will be open throughout the day, some with various specials and discounts! Check out the full list and schedule at www.highlandcounty.org by clicking on “Wintertide” under the “Events” tab. The offerings will continue to be updated until Saturday, December 5th.
Photo Credit: Barry Plott/Pexels.com
We are also inviting the Highland County community to add a “snowman theme” to your holiday decorating this year! Place a snowman, snowwoman, or entire snowfamily in your decorating plans to give residents and visitors some additional fun to look at all around the county.
Though there will be no formal tree lighting ceremony at the Monterey Courthouse, we will be turning on the lights of our Christmas Trees there at 6 pm on Saturday to remain on for the remainder of the season. We give special thanks to Erica Stephenson of Meadowdale Blooms for her time and decorating of the trees, as well as Blue Grass Valley Bank for their generous sponsorship donation of the trees.
For both your safety and for the safety of others when traveling, please adhere to current CDC and Virginia Department of Health guidelines regarding the coronavirus. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, please observe social distancing of at least six feet from other visitors, wear a face covering when indoors or when you are in close proximity to others outdoors, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or apply hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Please stay home if you are sick, if you have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19. Prevention tips can be found at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/prevention-tips/.
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) membership nonprofit organization with a mission to lift up local businesses and entrepreneurs, promote Highland County, and champion economic prosperity and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.highlandcounty.org.
0 Comments