Organizers, supporters, Town Council members and Police all indicate that this year's Christmas in Middleburg festivities should well be counted among the best ever.

The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremonies were scheduled for Friday, December 2 at the Town's Tourist Information Center, the "Pink Box," located at 12 N Madison St.

On Saturday, December 3, at 11 AM hunters, horses and hounds were set for the Christmas Hunt Parade down Washington Street, also know as Route 50 or, for shoppers, Middleburg's Main Street.

Three hours after the Hunt Parade, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, Middleburg was set to welcome Santa and formally kick off the holiday shopping season with it's annual and wildly popular Christmas Parade.

For many this year's festivities will be their first experience of Middleburg's "new" pedestrian and (at long last) traffic-friendly Washington Street, with new brick sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, signage, and meterless parking.

Police Chief A.J. Panebianco has been working with his colleagues in law enforcement from across the county to ensure traffic control that is safer and more efficient than ever.

New tools to manage the spectator experience have also been put in place, including measures designed to ensure that those watching the parade are kept safe, and those participating in the parade itself are protected from onlookers crowding into the parade route itself, endangering themselves and impeding the parade.

Long-serving Christmas-in-Middleburg Chairman Jim Herbert, working with a host of volunteers, Town Staff, friends and Council members has been especially delighted with preparations. Every year is different, but THIS year will be extra special.