This holiday season you’ll find lots to do and the merchants in the historic district are betting that Yule Love It! With great shopping so close to home and family-friendly events, you’ll want to make sure to mark your calendar and take advantage of all the fun that’s happening in downtown Fuquay-Varina this holiday season.

The Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association will host free Holiday Sleigh Rides sponsored by Patriot State Bank on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6– 8 p.m. during the Town Christmas Tree Lighting. The sleigh rides will be located at Ashworth’s BP Station (120 S. Main Street) in downtown Fuquay-Varina.

This year, a ticket is required to ride. A limited number of free sleigh tickets will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. the day of the event at the Raleigh Street Parking Lot which is located at the corner of Raleigh and S. Main Streets (next to Joyce & Family Restaurant). There is a limit of four tickets per adult. All others riders must be present to get single tickets. Children age 2 and under do not need a ticket if they are sitting on an adult’s lap during the sleigh ride. Tickets will be distributed until they run out. The last ride of the evening will be at 7:55 p.m.

The Christmas Tree lighting, sponsored by the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s Parks and Recreation Department will take place at 7 p.m. at 233 S. Main Street (large parking lot across from Cooley’s Restaurant). The tree lighting and sleigh rides are the official kick-off to the holiday season. Don’t miss it! This is small-town America at its best. Norman Rockwell had this in mind when he was painting!

The merchants on historic Main and Broad Streets will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec.5 during regular business hours. Downtown has everything you need to complete your holiday shopping. The selection is great. The price is right. You can’t beat the drive. Enjoy a bit of Fuquay-Varina hospitality at the Downtown Holiday Open House. Find unique gifts, great shopping, close to home - Yule love it!

When you’re shopping in downtown, don’t forget to register to win a $500 gift certificate to be given away on December 18th to one lucky shopper! Approximately 25 merchants are participating in the “Cash for Christmas” promotion in downtown this holiday season. Simply register every time you shop between November 20 and December 17 and you could get an extra surprise in your stocking - a $500 in gift certificate to be used at participating merchants in downtown. For a list of participating merchants, log onto www.fuquay-varinadowntown.com.

A traditional home town Christmas parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 pm. This event, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce ushers Santa into Fuquay-Varina with true holiday razzle dazzle. The kids will love it and you’ll love seeing your children filled with holiday wonder as they greet Santa’s Sleigh and reindeer!

While you’re in downtown – day or night – remember to check out the great holiday decorations! The merchants in downtown and the Town of Fuquay-Varina have worked extra hard to make downtown Fuquay-Varina a winter wonderland. Downtown Fuquay-Varina is truly a magical place to be for the holidays! Grab some magic for your family and make holiday memories that will last a lifetime. In downtown Fuquay-Varina, you’ll find, unique gifts, great shopping, family-fun events – all close to home – YULE love it! For more information, log onto www.fuquay-varinadowntown.com.

Susan Weis is the Director of the F-V Revitalization Assn. She can be reached at 552-0848 or susanweisfvra@yahoo.com