The weather outside was frightful, but the festive cheer was delightful as Richmond Christmas traditions were on display yesterday.
Steady rain and temperatures hovering in the upper 30s in downtown Richmond did little to dampen the enthusiasm for the 23rd annual Court End Christmas.
The lovable Snow Bear posed for pictures with children (and those still young at heart) at the Valentine Richmond History Center. Two blocks away at the Museum of the Confederacy, excited children had their pictures taken with Santa Claus.
While many of the 10 historic venues taking part may have planned to have events outside, organizers adapted to the weather, said Lesley Bruno, director of public relations at the Valentine.
However, not all participants were able to avoid the weather. Two rain-soaked horses, Adam and Eve, stood forlornly along 10th Street, waiting to take visitors on carriage rides. Ricky Robertson held an umbrella as he waited by the carriage; driver Jim Hundley held the horses' reins. Usually, they said, lines of people are waiting to ride.
That wasn't the case yesterday.
"When you play outside . . . you have to deal with inclement weather," Hundley said.
Hot chocolate and apple cider warmed the insides while children occupied themselves with crafts at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, which was participating in the event for the first time.
"We welcome anyone and everyone to experience urban church life," parishioner Cindy Wofford said. Around her, children made Christmas cards, and baskets of essential items were assembled for ElderFriends.
Living history accompanied the holiday cheer.
At the Museum of the Confederacy, the Cummings Battery and 21st Virginia Infantry showed what life was like for a Civil War soldier. A re-enactment of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech was conducted at St. John's Church on Church Hill.
Peter Sokol, with a raven pinned to his shoulder, dressed as Edgar Allan Poe at Monumental Church, which a young Poe attended while living in Richmond.
Among the many musical groups was the William F. Fox Elementary School choir, which closed its nearly 30-minute performance with a song that injected a bit of humor, drawing laughs from the crowd. It was the choir's ode to fruitcake -- a holiday food that never seems to disappear, no matter how hard you try to make it do so.
Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or jslayton@timesdispatch.com.
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