Heather Gaines, left, hands Ayla Allen a plate of Christmas cookies. Her favorite flavor is peanut butter. Photo by Leah Sander.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — The town of Leesburg will be celebrating its annual Candelaria and Christmas party tradition from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Santa Claus will be arriving from the North Pole to make a special appearance at 6 p.m.

The town Christmas party will be held at the old firehouse, located next to Leesburg Town Hall.

The streets of Leesburg are lit with lines of luminarias, all carefully placed by members of Leesburg 4-H Mighty farmers, Scouts and other community volunteers. Photo by Leah Sander.

Members of Leesburg 4-H Mighty Farmers and the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops will be lighting the luminaria around 5 p.m.

“I am so grateful for the help of our community and the youth,” Christina Archer, organizer of the event and Leesburg Town Council president. “The support just goes to show how special and loved this event is.”

Leesburg will be lighting about 1,400 luminaria, weather permitting.

“We start lighting around 5 p.m. since that is when it starts to get dark now,” Archer explained. “Only once did we have to totally postpone the luminaria because of bad weather.”

Santa Claus will be visiting the old firehouse to meet children and go over their Christmas wish lists. Everyone will be treated to hot chocolate and Santa’s favorite cookies. Children will receive a small treat bag from Santa.

Archer is working with Leesburg Elementary School to hopefully schedule a Christmas carol performance from the choir. Details are still being ironed out for this year’s performance. Last year, the Lion choir performed numerous carols, adding to the magic of the annual event.

Archer is hoping for good weather and even better community turnout.

“We always have such a good turnout,” she said. “The event grows bigger every year. The support is absolutely amazing.”

Back in the 1980s, the Candelaria was put on by the Leesburg Merchants Association. Archer, a Leesburg native, moved back into town in 2010 and asked about the event. She was tasked with the job of bringing back the beloved Candelaria back.

“The first year was very rough,” Archer recalled. “The weather was brutally cold.”

Over the years, Archer has seen an increase in help putting the event on from community volunteers and local businesses.

“I see it as a big success that everyone looks forward to each year,” Archer said. “I hope this event stays annual, and it stays going when I need to step down.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the Candelaria. Archer said she feels it’s important for people to be involved in the community.