A little girl goes over her Christmas list with Santa during last year’s Leesburg Candelaria event. This year, the Candelaria will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the old firehouse next door to the Leesburg Town Hall. File photo.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

The town of Leesburg will be celebrating its annual Candelaria and Christmas party tradition from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, with Santa making a special appearance at 6 p.m.

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

Members of Leesburg 4-H Mighty Farmers and Boy Scout Troop 729 will be lighting the luminaria around 5 p.m.

Leesburg will be lighting between 1,500 and 2,000 luminaria depending on the weather. Christina Archer, organizer of the event and Leesburg Town Council president, said, “If it’s a cold crisp night, we’ll put out all 2,000 (luminaria) … Only once did we have to totally postpone the luminaria because it was incredibly bad weather.”

Santa will be on hand at the old fire house to visit with the children and go over their wish lists. Everyone will be treated to hot chocolate and cookies.

A group of Leesburg Elementary School students has expressed an interest in preforming at the town Christmas party. Details were still being worked out at press time.

“That will be something new,” Archer said.

She is hoping for good weather and a good turn out.

“We always get a large turnout,” she said.

Archer pointed out a large group of volunteers from Leesburg Methodist Church and other groups puts together the luminaria and make cookies.

Archer said she appreciated the volunteer help and the support from local businesses.

“It’s become a community event,” she said.

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

“The first year was pretty rough. It was pretty intense and brutally cold. It was 10 degrees,” she said.

Over the years, Archer has seen an increase in help putting the event on.

“I see it as a big success that everyone looks forward to,” she said. “I hope now there’s a group that can keep it going when I can’t. We just invite everyone to come and enjoy it.”

Children who come out to see Santa will receive a small treat bag.

Archer said she feels it’s important for people to be involved in the community.

Shown is just a portion of luminaria which is put out for Leesburg’s Candelaria event. Between 1,500 to 2,000 luminaria are lit for the event. File photo.