Manassas Museum holds open house Friday

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: December 3, 2008

The Manassas Museum will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m., offering free admission, holiday entertainment and refreshments.

The activities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Osbourn String Quartet performing in the museum gallery.

Santa Claus will receive guests in the Museum Courtyard after the Old Town Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the museum lawn. The Santa Claus who arrives at 6 p.m. on the Virginia Railway Express and participates in the tree lighting will go to the Harris Pavilion gazebo after the lighting.

At 7:45 p.m. the All Saints Choir will also perform in the museum gallery.

During the open house there will be a reception with hot spiced cider and cookies offered by the Manassas Museum Associates.

Echoes, the Museum Store, will have 10 percent discount on all of its gifts, with the Associates getting an additional 10 percent off.

The All Saints Resounding Joy Handbell Choir will perform on the steps of the Museum, prior to the tree lighting by Santa and Manassas Mayor Harry "Hal" Parrish II.

Free hayrides will be offered throughout the evening.

The holiday fun activities continues on Saturday with the 63rd annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, kicking off at 10 a.m. with more than 2,000 participants including floats, marching bands, costumed characters and of course Santa Claus.

The merchants of Old Town will host their annual Merchants Open House on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy refreshments, entertainment while gazing upon the gingerbread house entries in the annual contest in the store windows.

Free horse-drown carriage rides will be available from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Dec. 14.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.