Garden Club Christmas events fun for all ages

For the third year, Bristow Garden Club held its annual Christmas Lights Tour.The tour lasted from December 14 through December 16 and departed from the VFW, where the club hosted other holiday offerings as well.

In a first, Bristow Garden Club, BGC, added to its lights tour experience by hosting a vendor craft fair and bake sale each evening of the tour, which the club hopes to grow each year. Admission to the bake sale and craft fair was free to all while tour tickets were available for $8 each. Children under 10 years of age rode free with adult caregivers who purchased tickets. Additionally, each lights tour participant received a free hot chocolate, cookie, and visit with Santa prior or subsequent to riding the Woodland Queen Trolley and viewing the community’s lights. According to Nancy Finlay of BGC, around 120 people took the tour this year.

Mexi Dog Food Truck set up in the parking lot of the VFW with food offerings for attendees and anyone from the community. A popular purchase from the food truck appeared to be their kettle corn.

All attendees were delighted by the appearance and antics of Dr. Seuss’ infamous Grinch throughout the event. The Grinch loudly and randomly announced the names of various entrants to the VFW, embarrassing a few and enticing some to join in the hilarious, festively themed raucous. Aboard the trolley, he shouted many a sour and cranky themed barb and announced “delicious”plans to steal the lights, claiming to have already disconnected electrical outlets or stolen lights and festive displays from non-decorated properties along the route. People laughed and joined in the fun with him throughout the night.

Softspoken and merry, quite unlike The Grinch, Santa visited with children and listened to their Christmas wishes, gifting each a candy cane or a bag containing candies and fruit. One small boy simply asked Santa for a hug when asked what he wanted for Christmas. Santa invited adults to visit with him as well, taking photos with many. Aboard the trolley, Santa led riders in singing festive holiday songs.

Though members of BGC served attendees, the McRae family brought Santa and The Grinch to life for the event. Marshall and Paige McRae took photos of the event and helped pass out candy as well.

At the end of the night, all left tired but appeared significantly merrier.