Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
Saturday, Dec. 7, was a day full of all the best of Craig County. Early in the day, the Farmers Market was packed with holiday cheer and local goods. Later in the afternoon, the market filled with young entrepreneurs from the Kindling School.
Each of the enthusiastic vendors had participated in the Kindling School’s programs for young businesspeople. One of the vendors was Julian Dooley, who had a selection of hard candy, several flavors of fudge, hot chocolate jars and other handmade items. Dooley was excited to share that “I made it myself!” The Kindling School program offered a wide selection of handmade products and kept the market busy from 4-7 p.m.
With a light breeze, temperatures in the 40s and dusk falling right on time, the parade began down Rt 311. Both sides of the street had become lined with excited watchers ready to cheer on each of the parade participants. Bright colored lights and music filled the air as the parade made its way toward Main Street.
The collection of antique cars, trucks and tractors were decorated with lights and happy faces. Flatbeds were filled with hay bales and plenty of Santa’s elves, throwing candy at the children watching on the sidelines. Giant marching gingerbread people kept things moving. The parade ended with an impressive display of fire trucks complete with sirens blaring from across Craig County. Santa arrived in style and received a very warm welcome.