Highland Wintertide Weekend, November 30-December 2

Monterey, Va. – The first weekend in December is coming up in a few days marking the official start of the Christmas season for Highland County residents. Highland County’s 24th annual Wintertide weekend begins at noon on Friday and will run through 5 PM on Sunday. Highland Chamber of Commerce Director Tiffany White talks about this year’s Wintertide celebration.

“This year during Wintertide here at the Highland Center, the Holiday Treasures Market is going to be taking place on Friday and Saturday, along with the Blue Roof open house,” said Ms. White. “Blue Roof will be offering homemade goods, a lot of cookies and cakes, things they have been baking downstairs here at the Highland Center. Ginseng Mountain Store will also be holding their open house this weekend. At the Holiday Market they are going to be featuring local vendors selling arts and crafts. Some of those that will be highlighted there will be Lee Mitchell, Karen Botkin, and Healing Farm. They will be selling their USDA inspected beef. Back Creek Farm and Mountain Pastures will be selling their homemade lotions and lip balms, and several others,” she said.

Tiffany continues with information on the Tree Lighting and other Saturday evening events.

“Our tree lighting service will take place this Saturday, December 1 at 6 PM,” said Ms. White. “We have a lineup of the Glory Belles, and there will also be a reading of The Night Before Christmas. We will also light the tree. We also have a change in our schedule. We’re going to have music provided by Bill Harman and Emma Harman while everybody is enjoying the refreshments afterwards. Then starting at 8 PM on Saturday, the Highland Community Choir will be performing at the United Methodist Church,” she said.

The local Girl Scout troop’s Gingerbread House will be on display at the Methodist church as well.
The shops on Main Street in Monterey will stay open until 8 PM after the tree lighting ceremony for the convenience of Christmas shoppers.
The County’s Christmas tree will also serve as an angel tree this year and will be hung with names of several children. Folks can pick a name, purchase a gift and drop it off at the Social Services office in Monterey for distribution to county children. The Virginia Trout Company, located about 5 miles north of Monterey will be offering smoked trout for the holiday season this year. The Shoppes at Dancon on Main Street are featuring an eclectic mix of handmade items from Virginia and West Virginia.
Highland County’s weather in early December can sometimes put a chill into Wintertide weekend, but this year the weather is expected to be nearly perfect for visitors and residents alike, with sunny skies and daytime temperatures in the 50’s expected for Friday through Sunday.