Despite the cold, approximately a thousand people came out to The Promenade at Virginia Gateway Shopping Center in Gainesville to witness their tree lighting and fireworks show Saturday evening.
Last year, the event took place along the Atlas Walk mall in front of the Christmas tree. However, this year, the celebration was moved to Promenade plaza where The Manassas Symphony Orchestra played Christmas and holiday music.
According to Molly Hippolitus, Public Relations Senior Account Manager with Deluchi Plus, those at Virginia Gateway were very happy with this year’s turnout.
Baby Scott is a little scared, but big brother Jack is excited to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.“We had a fantastic turnout at our first holiday event at Promenade, and loved that many guests made an evening out of it with dinner before and after the festivities,” Hippolitus said.
Many parents brought out their children to see Santa, enjoy hot beverages and see the fireworks show. Hippolitus said the event has traditionally been popular, and this year’s added special elements, like the Manassas Symphony’s performance and the fireworks display, made it even more of a Saturday night destination for families.
“We were happy to see the cold weather didn't deter guests from coming out and enjoying the night,” she said.
Snow Queen at the Promenade with JonAnthony Vesgoni and A-Mya Tapscott.One couple, Santa and Mrs. Claus, traveled straight from the North Pole to the Promenade at Virginia Gateway where they met with local children. While the children talked with Santa, parents snapped photos of their darlings with the Clauses who sat in front of giant sized Christmas ornaments on the plaza.
But Mr. and Mrs. Claus didn’t come to Gainesville alone. They brought along some friends with them. Children stood in line to get a balloon twisted into their favorite animal and toys from Carol, “Santa’s favorite elf” while the Snow Queen met with children standing in line for carriage rides, or to meet Santa Claus.
Jack Holohan gives out Guinness Stew from Grafton Street restaurant.Although lines were long, organizers at Virginia Gateway did plan ahead, having two horse-drawn carriages traveling simultaneously throughout the shopping plaza. And, while families waited to see the fireworks, they were able to stay warm by eating and drinking hot food and beverages.
Samantha Holohan and her son, Jack, handed out Guinness beef stew, served at their Irish-American restaurant and pub, Grafton Street, on Atlas Walk Way.
People could also get a coffee or hot chocolate from Trummer’s Coffee & Wine Bar, the new café coming into the Promenade. Trummer’s Coffee is owned by the same family who runs the award-winning restaurant Trummer’s on Main in historic Clifton, Virginia.
Baby Beatrice with Mom, Amy Hindman, at the Promenade for the Holiday event.For many families, a night out on the Promenade includes dining at one of their favorite restaurants, trying out a new restaurant, shopping, or going to see a movie at Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX. Saturday night was no exception. Those anticipating the crowds made reservations, while others put their names on the waiting lists so they could have dinner after the holiday festivities subsided.
While children Lizabeth, 11, Melany, 9, and Joel, 7, were looking forward to seeing the fireworks, mom and dad Lilian and Ricardo Chinchilla said that getting a table at Firebirds restaurant was their priority.
Around 7 p.m., everyone gathered on the plaza looking towards the sky to see a spectacular firework show in red, green and gold.
Event-goers were impressed, especially the children.
“It was better than the ones in D.C.,” said Ethan Donaldson, 12.
Ethan noted that these fireworks had shapes, such as a happy face.
After the fireworks were over, Ethan's sister Annie, 9, and mother Carrie Donaldson decided they would stay a little longer to take a carriage ride.
For more information about Promenade and other Virginia Gateway events, readers can visit, their website, or like their Facebook page.
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