"A law was made a distant moon ago here:
July and August cannot be too hot.
And there's a legal limit to the snow here
In Camelot.
The winter is forbidden till December
And exits March the second on the dot.
By order, summer lingers through September
In Camelot."

The cheering began as Santa rounded the curve from The Plains Road onto West Washington Street, from a sea of umbrellas, ponchos and rain hats that made the sidewalks appear covered by a sea of oversized Dots.

It never fails.

Neither rain, nor sleet nor snow nor even night have ever produced any gloom at all on the day marking the kickoff of Christmas in Middleburg . . . and this year was no exception.

The crowds who braved the weather from the morning's Hunt Parade to the afternoon arrival of Santa may have been smaller than last year's, but enthusiasm was not in short supply.

And as for friends, there are no fair weather friends in Middleburg.

Jim Herbert and his army of volunteers never faltered.

Chief A.J. Panebianco and his officers had recruited help from law enforcement organizations all over the county to control traffic and keep everyone safe and happy.

Town Council and staff could not have done a better job, welcoming the crowd and keeping enthusiasm high.

The food was great. The shopping better. And a great time was had by all.

Kudos and thanks to all for, once again, making Christmas in Middleburg, well . . . Christmas . . . in Middleburg !