Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 22-26, 2007)

First and foremost, the biggest event this weekend...

UVA vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday, at High Noon. UVA wants a sea of orange, so dress appropriately. Good luck finding tickets.

These events, and more, were on the Albemarle Family calendar:

- Turkey Trot at the Boar's Head Inn, Thanksgiving Day at 9am. Wrk up an appetite for a good cause in true Charlottesville tradition. Unite with friends and family to run (or walk!) the 5k course through Ednam Forest and raise money for the University of Virginia Children's Hospital. Tethered hot-air balloon rides are also offered that morning to participants or spectators.

- The Blessing of the Hounds service on Thanksgiving Day, before the Fox Hunt, in the churchyard of Grace Episcopal. 10am. Free.

- Barracks Road Annual Holiday Parade, Friday at 9am. Santa arrives with over sixty of his friends, including local civic organizations, marching bands, antique cars, horse-drawn carriages, and Charlottesville/Albemarle area princesses. Parade route begins in front of Harris Teeter.

- Charlottesville Tradition Grand Illumination, Friday 4pm-8pm. The Jeffersonland Chorus will make holiday music in Central Place. Charlottesville's Mayor, David Brown, will flip the switch, lighting up the entire Downtown Mall with brilliant Holiday lights. Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and other historic characters gather on the Mall with musicians, performers and carolers. The Central Place at Downtown Mall.

- All The Hoos In Hooville at the Charlottesville Downtown Visitor's Center, Sunday at 5:30pm. An evening of Christmas fun featuring the cartoon, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", as well as the movie starring Jim Carrey . There will be caroling by local choirs and UVA acapella groups, free popcorn and hot chocolate during the movie. Free.

- Santa's Arrival at the Charlottesville Downtown Mall, Sunday at 1:30pm. Santa rides a horsedrawn carriage down the mall! Then he will set up shop in The Shops at April's Corner, where he will be available to listen to the wishes of children of all ages. The carriage will then be available for free rides on a first come, first serve basis. 1:30pm.

- Thanksgiving at Wintergreen, Thursday-Sunday at Wintergreen Resort. Traditional feasts, the grand illumination of the courtyard, gingerbread house and boxwood wreath workshops.

- The Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker. At the Martin Luther King Jr., Performing Arts Center. Monday & Tuesday at 7:30 pm.

I found these at NBC29's calendar:

- Mistletoe Market in Fluvanna - A holiday shopping event open every weekend until Christmas. Wonderful selection of home decor, antiques, folk art and seasonal accents. Located on Union Mills Road (Route 616) Troy, VA- near the Fluvanna SPCA. Fridays & Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sundays 1pm-8pm.

- Marine Toys for Tots Stuff the Truck. This event will feature motorcyclists, cheerleaders, and other performing acts. Come support the Marine Toys for Tots campaign in it's 60th year by donating a new, unwrapped toy for a needy child for the holidays. Friday, 9am-5pm, Kmart parking lot Charlottesville.

These events were on the Virginia Is For Lovers calendar:

- Mount Vernon by Candlelight 2007, 5:30pm-9:00pm, Fridays-Sundays now through 12/9/07. Learn about the Washingtons' Christmas traditions; tour the candlelit mansion including the rarely-seen third floor; and meet historical characters including Martha Washington. On the grounds, guests enjoy caroling and free cookies and hot cider around a roaring campfire. $15/adults; $10 children.

- Holiday Open House at Valley Green Gallery in Nellysford, Friday, 10am-5pm. A festive occasion music and refreshments. A chance to "meet the artist and artisans". Located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Wintergreen Resort.

- Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia, Thursday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. Explore the 17th- and 18th-century culinary practices of Virginia. At Jamestown Settlement, learn how food was gathered, preserved and prepared on land and at sea by Virginia's English colonists and Powhatan Indians. At the Yorktown Victory Center, learn about typical soldiers' fare during the American Revolution and trace the bounty of a 1780s farm from field to kitchen. $17.75 (adults), $8.50 (6-12).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Karen
http://www.move2va.com/