W’burg Turkey Trot planned for Thanksgiving morning

Williamsburg officials are hoping to have another big crowd for the Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving Day and have announced dates for several other upcoming holiday events.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison told the city council during its regular monthly meeting Monday that last year’s Turkey Trot drew about 300 participants.

“Hopefully we will have another huge crowd. It looks like a little Boston Marathon,” Harrison noted.

Registration for the race will start at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and the race will begin at 9 a.m.

Harrison said that one change this year is that the timing will be done via a chip in each participant’s bib, which should produce quicker results once the race has ended.

All proceeds will go to benefit the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop event, which takes less fortunate children on $100 Christmas shopping sprees at Wal-Mart.

Harrison also announced various upcoming Christmas events.

Christmas in a Small Town will take place from Dec. 5 – 9.

During this time period, judging will take place for the annual Christmas decorating contest.

On Dec. 10, a Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The cost for the first table will be $10 and each additional table will be $5.

Proceeds will benefit Shop with a Cop.

Harrison said that the bazaar usually features a lot of handmade craft items.

The annual Christmas parade will take place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 starting at Williamsburg City School.

The results of the decorating contest will be announced in Bill Woods Park after the parade.

There will also be Christmas caroling in the park and free apple cider and hot chocolate.
Councilwoman Mary Ann Stanfill suggested having the hot chocolate ready before the parade ends because Bill Woods Park is where many of the participants, who are in the front of the parade, head after they are finished.

Also after the parade, the annual town ornament exchange will take place in Bill Woods Park.

Harrison said participants bring an ornament, which is placed in a brown paper bag, and before they leave, they take an ornament with them.

In addition, that evening at Bill Woods Park people can place a memorial ornament on the town Christmas tree in honor of a deceased friend or relative.

Harrison said that after Christmas the memorial ornaments are collected and saved to put back up on the tree the following year.

Shop with a Cop will take place starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Wal-Mart.

Harrison said that city officials still aren’t sure yet how many children they will be able to take shopping this year and are still raising money for the event.

Starting next year, there will be monthly yard sales at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center with proceeds going to benefit the Shop with a Cop program.