Historic Heathsville, Virginia will celebrate the golden moments of an Old Fashioned Golden Village Christmas festival on Saturday, December 7, 2002, 10 a. m. to dusk. The festival is designed to promote shopping in the village of Heathsville and will feature many activities; music presentations, visits with Santa, special arts and crafts, greenery sale, and food. The Tavern’s restaurant, as well as Bambery’s, will be open, serving food and beverages throughout the day. Also, food will be available at the Northumberland Woman’s Club tent at the old Jail site. They will be selling soup, chili, drinks, and baked goodies. The Woman’s Club’s new cookbook will also be available for Christmas giving, as well as craft items.

     Shoppers will be able to browse among varied items such as doll clothes, baskets, dried wreaths, great culinary items, sterling jewelry, hand carved waterfowl, embroidered clothing, scroll saw works, antique small pieces, pottery, home decorations, and art work, as well as other specialty shops and artisans who will visit Heathsville for the celebration. In addition, local merchants will open their doors with special sales throughout the day, especially St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Trifles and Treasure’s Shop, the Emporium, and Great Stuff and Company. The Tavern Store will feature new merchandise and have a special sale of 40% off items.

     The Elf House will be open in the historical old jail from 10 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. Santa will arrive and be present for photographs and visits. Additionally, the Northumberland County Historical Society will be open with an exhibit. A special ornament donation of $25.00 can be made at the tavern for the annual Tavern Tree. Names of the donors will be listed on a large scroll and exhibited each year. The ornaments will be signed and will decorate the Tavern Tree.

     This exciting event is made possible by the generosity and support of the Bank of Lancaster, Bank of Northumberland, the merchants of Heathsville, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern Foundation, the Woman’s Club of Northumberland, Northumberland County Administration, the Northern Neck Tourism Council, the Churches of Heathsville, Rocco Tricarico, AIA/Architect, and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wayne Lawson. 

     Music will fill the air at 3:00 pm (with cookies and cider) to set the tone as dusk begins to settle upon the village. Magically, a thousand luminaries and the Village tree will be lit to remind everyone of this golden moment and fond remembrance of a special Christmas festival.