Snow wasn't glistening this year, and it was too warm for sleigh bells, but "Christmas in Middleburg" went off without a hitch–even in unseasonably warm weather. Middleburg does Christmas very well. Seemingly plucked from a Currier and Ives or Norman Rockwell painting, the town's handsome stone buildings and venerable brick storefronts and sidewalks lend an old-fashioned sense of what Christmas should feel and look like. One expects good cheer and holiday greetings while walking down the streets, and on Saturday, December 4, anyone who was in town got just that–and then some. From an early morning breakfast with Santa, through the Hunt Parade at midday, through Willard Scott's announcing of the parade, the day of festivities called Christmas in Middleburg was an excellent antidote to anyone who harbored even the slightest "bah-humbug" spirit.

Although Christmas in Middleburg seems timeless, it is, in fact, a relatively new tradition. In 1979, residents and shopkeepers Dudley and Cissy Bunn decided something needed to be done in town during the Christmas season, so they brought in the Kena Scottish Ple Bagpipers and had them play some of their tunes in the streets. Deciding that was not enough, in 1980, the Bunns, along with Tyler Gore, another resident and merchant, put together the first of the modern Middleburg Christmas parades, though with considerably fewer floats than there are today. But the tradition stuck, and 24 years later, the parade–and the entirety of Christmas in Middleburg, including singing groups, arts and crafts, and food vendors–is still going strong, this year with 51 floats and three announcers.

Mr. Bunn recalls that he, his late wife and Mr. Gore "decided that Middleburg needed something to commemorate Christmas." He says that, although the spirit of the day remains the same, many new traditions have evolved over the years. One of the most memorable moments of Christmas in Middleburg for Mr. Bunn was when the entire Redskins Band played for the public before the parade started. He also particularly enjoys the annual visit to the parade by the Third Infantry Division pipe and drum group from Washington, DC.

Mr. Bunn no longer personally manages Christmas in Middleburg. In fact, this year was the first ever that Mr. Bunn has not personally overseen the hanging of Middleburg's hand-painted Christmas signs. Happily, however, Mr. Bunn's traditional duties and holiday responsibilities have been generously taken up by others, including Middleburg Bank Vice President Reggie Dawson and Middleburg Eccentric Editor-in-Chief Dee Dee Hubbard, this year's co-chairs. But Mr. Bunn remains an integral part of the event, and he has high hopes for the future of the festivities: "Yes, I do believe it will continue in the future," he told the Eccentric. "I think there are so many people who've been a part of it that they'll want to see it continue."

Mr. Dawson also believes that the future looks bright for Christmas in Middleburg. He was pleased with this year's parade: "All indications are that everything was outstanding from the merchants' standpoint. Weatherwise, I'd give us an A-. We done good." Having chaired the event some six times, Mr. Dawson knows what it takes to pull off one of the town's biggest days of the year: a lot of hard work. He says that this year's event was a "great, great day," crediting the smooth parking situation thanks to St. Stephen's Church and Dr. Shelia Johnson, who allowed the town to use their respective properties for parking.

Also new this year was the artists' fair held on Madison Street. It was so successful, said Mr. Dawson, that one artist sold all her paintings and had to go home to get more. Mr. Dawson's traditional parade favorites are the Morrisville Equine College Institute, riding on their six-hitch horse team, and the presence of all sorts of animals over the years, including llamas, oxen, zebra, miniature horses and the Humane Society's adoptable animals. But he said that what "really makes the day" are the floats from all the schools. "The kids' participation gets us all charged up and raring to go."

For Betsy Davis, office manager of The Fun Shop and longtime Middleburg resident, "the beauty of it is . . . it's not huge . . . and it's not meant to be," even though the parade has grown considerably over the years. Then and now, she says, nearly anyone can be part of the parade if they really want to be. A group of Corgi lovers got together, calling themselves the Corgi Brigade, and joined the parade with their dogs. This tradition was so well loved that many of the founders continue to walk in the parade today, even though some of the original members no longer live in the state. Ms. Davis looks forward to Christmas in Middleburg every year, "not just as a business person, but as a resident. It's a fun day. Christmas in Middleburg has made its mark. People just know to come." She says that this year she overheard a woman remarking to her husband that Middleburg is a "traditional little Christmas town," and, she says, it's that small-town Christmas-y atmosphere that people enjoy.

The Hunt Parade is another tradition unique to Christmas in Middleburg. Each year the Middleburg Hunt meets in the parking lot of the Red Fox Inn so that visitors can see and take pictures of the horses, hounds and formally dressed riders. This allows visitors unfamiliar with equestrian traditions to experience one of the most rarified and unique aspects of Hunt Country. Then the Hunt makes its way down Washington Street, and, with its impeccably dressed participants and beautifully groomed hounds and horses, it is quite a sight to behold. Penny Denegre, one of the Masters of the Hunt, says that this year, more than 60 riders and 75 hounds participated in the Hunt Parade. Mrs. Denegre says, "It's a very special thing; the whole community comes together to celebrate the holiday. Middleburg is one of our (the Hunt's) favorite fixtures."

Christmas in Middleburg depends on the hard work and dedication of town residents who are devoted to making the season bright. What started as bagpipers playing on Washington Street has turned into a day-long affair, replete with celebrity announcers and hundreds of spectators. However, it still hasn't lost its small-town charm. Quirky, festive, and a lot of fun, Christmas in Middleburg will be an annual tradition for many years to come.