LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The first Saturday of each December, Lynchburg transforms into a winter wonderland filled with Christmas trees, nutcrackers, candy canes, and all the jolly things. It’s a magical day that gets capped off with the annual Lynchburg Christmas Parade and Jack Daniel’s Barrel Tree lighting.
For the past several months, the Lynchburg Chamber’s Christmas in Lynchburg committee has been working hard to create a full day of fun activities for all ages and interests and, of course, it will be a great day to do a little holiday shopping at our local, independent small businesses.
Here are five “don’t miss” activities for those of you who plan to join us.
1 | The FCE Christmas Cookie Sale — It’s no secret that Lynchburg is blessed with an abundance of fantastic cooks and many of them are members of the Moore County FCE Club. Every December they show out at the annual Christmas Cookie Sale during Christmas in Lynchburg. It will start at 9 a.m. at the IBIS Building and continue until they sell out, which is usually quick.
2 | Distillery Series #16 Bottle Signing — Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series is an experimental, small-batch whiskey that’s special. They’re innovative, extremely limited, and only available in Tennessee. On Saturday, they’ll release Distillery Series #16 – barrel proof Tennessee Rye Whiskey finished in Southern-style table syrup barrels. It was selected by Jack Daniel’s Barrel Maturation Manager and Master Taster Byron Copeland and will be available at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop that morning. Chris Fletcher and Copeland will also sign bottles from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center.
3 | Lynchburg Ornament Exchange — Small town events are all about community-building and getting to know your neighbors better. On Saturday, the Lynchburg Chamber will attempt to launch a new local holiday tradition, the Lynchburg Community Ornament Exchange. The concept is simple: from noon to 3 p.m. stop by the community tree located at the gazebo, hang your ornament on the tree, then choose any ornament to take home.
4 | Lynchburg Christmas Parade — Several years ago the annual Christmas Parade serendipitously got rained out from its usual noon time slot into the afternoon. People loved it. There’s just something extra magical about all those holiday lights at night. So, when the community spoke, Lynchburg Chamber officials listened and permanently moved the parade time to right before the Jack Daniel Barrel Tree Lighting. There are around 80 participants this year, so it should be amazing. It starts at 5 p.m.
5 | The Jack Daniel’s Barrel Tree Lighting — On Saturday night, hundreds of locals and visitors from not only across Tennessee but also across the United States and even a couple of foreign guests gather at the Jack Daniel’s Visitor’s Center for one of the most popular events of the holiday season, the lighting of The Jack Daniel Distillery Barrel Tree. It’s a tradition that started in 2011 and now marks the official start to the holidays here in Lynchburg. It will be lit around 6:15 p.m. Lynchburg to Broadway favorites The Huffer Brothers will also provide live music beginning at 4: 30 p.m.
{EDITOR’S NOTE: To read last year’s feature on the history and logistics of the Jack Daniel’s Barrel Tree, click here.}
There will also be Breakfast with Santa, the Oh What Fun 5K, arts and crafts vendors, a poinsettia sale, pet pictures with Santa, a wreath sale, smores making for kids, cloggers, the Flat Creek Dancers, a bell choir, Santa and Mrs. Claus at Company Distilling, and more. For a full schedule of events, visit the Lynchburg Chamber Facebook page by clicking here. •
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