Alexandria's Christmas in July

Holiday cheer paired with warm

weather will hit the streets of Old Town when the 2nd Annual Christmas in July

Celebration returns to Union Street the weekend of July 15-17, 2011.   The event

is co-presented by The Christmas Attic and the businesses of  Union Street. 

Approximately 15 retailers and community organizations  will host a variety of

festive activities either inside stores or on  Union Street ranging from

pictures with “Summer” Santa & Mrs. Claus,  historical tours, holiday trunk

shows, food and wine tastings, cookie  decorating, storytime for tots, ornament

making, arts & crafts, ice  cream, paint your own nutcracker, green holiday home

tips, fashion  styling, pooch pictures, musical entertainment and much more. 

The  entire weekend will be filled with activities, raffle drawings,  shopping/

dining deals and holiday delights for all ages. 

The goal/purpose of this event is for the small businesses on Union  Street to

come together and design a fun, collaborative summer event  that promotes small

businesses and encourages visitors and residents to  shop local.  “It’s been a

difficult time for most small businesses and  the businesses on Union Street

wanted to partner and creatively work  together to create an event”, says

Christmas Attic Owner Fay Carter.   “Last year’s event was a huge success and we

are ready to build upon the  magic and wonder for this year’s event.”

Union Street Gives Back:  Every year, the Union Street  businesses pick a

charity organization to support during the event  weekend.  This year a portion

of sales proceeds from the weekend benefit  the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the

Mid-Atlantic.   The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic grants the wishes

of  children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human 

experience with hope, strength and joy.