[Archived] Holiday Updates


Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Tuesday, December 21, 1999
Contact:	Angelita Plemmer, City Manager's Office, (703) 838-4300

Holiday Updates

The City of Alexandria will hold its Farmers' Market on Friday, December 24, since Christmas Day falls on Saturday this year. The market will still be held from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The City would like to invite the public to visit Alexandria City Hall and the surrounding downtown throughout the holiday season to enjoy the festive decorations.

"Thanks to the creative efforts of local organizations, Alexandria's beauty shines especially bright during December," said Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson. "I hope that everyone will include in their holiday plans a visit downtown to see the decorations that brighten Alexandria for the season."

Pedestrians and motorists alike can enjoy the white twinkling lights strung along King Street, from the King Street Metro Station to the Waterfront, which add a glow to the nightscape in the downtown shopping district.

"We are fortunate to have the Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs, including the Beverly Hills Garden Club, lend their support and creative talents in decorating City Hall for the December holidays," said Mrs. Lawson. "The beautiful wreaths and greenery with their traditional southern magnolia, nandina and Osage oranges, pine cones and lemons have set the standard for traditional holiday decorations in Old Town."

Members of the Beverly Hills Garden Club decorated the exterior of City Hall with balsam wreaths that hang above the building's major doorways on all sides. The Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs, led by President Lucy Kramer, provided major funding for the project. Additional contributions were made by the Hunting Creek, Red Hill and Yates garden clubs.

Members of the City's 250th Anniversary Commission decorated a holiday tree in the Vola Lawson Lobby of Alexandria City Hall. Commission members adorned the tree with ornaments depicting activities and events that celebrate the City's 250th anniversary, in addition to recognizing all of the Commission's volunteers and supporters.

The Alexandria Youth Council decorated the holiday tree in the Market Square Lobby of Alexandria City Hall. Approximately 25 students made decorations representing a number of faith traditions, including Islam, Kwanzaa, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity, to hang on the 9-foot tree.

The City Hall decorations, as well as the City's own illuminated tree and kissing balls in Market Square, will remain on display through January 3, 2000.

Special thanks to Mary Margaret Otis of Annandale, Virginia and Alexandria residents Laurie Hieta and Carol Price for the generous donations of the Blue Spruce holiday trees currently on display at King Street Garden Park, Market Square and at the foot of King Street.