I enjoyed your column today. Those of us who've been around these parts for a long time will tell you that those beautiful Christmas streets in downtown Fredericksburg did not start with white lights on pear trees (or partridges either, for that matter). Way back we had silver garlands strung from one side of the street to the other, above traffic and dazzling shoppers and drivers alike. By the late 60s or early 70s (not sure about the exact time frame) those silver garlands garlands were replaced with alternating red and green ones. I miss those garlands from the days of yore. Happy Thanksgiving!
All the stuff that makes a town special. Of course, my days go back to the dropping of a giant pear in the middle of the street for New Years... not a long-lived tradition!
That pear was a bit much and a bit weird if you ask me. I would love to see the return of those garlands, maybe on William or Caroline Street. It's more of a mid-century vibe but I would personally love it. I suspect they may interfere with stoplights, etc., but I did love those garlands..
I’m thankful to the Advance for providing Shaun Kenney’s column🦃
I enjoyed your column today. Those of us who've been around these parts for a long time will tell you that those beautiful Christmas streets in downtown Fredericksburg did not start with white lights on pear trees (or partridges either, for that matter). Way back we had silver garlands strung from one side of the street to the other, above traffic and dazzling shoppers and drivers alike. By the late 60s or early 70s (not sure about the exact time frame) those silver garlands garlands were replaced with alternating red and green ones. I miss those garlands from the days of yore. Happy Thanksgiving!
All the stuff that makes a town special. Of course, my days go back to the dropping of a giant pear in the middle of the street for New Years... not a long-lived tradition!
That pear was a bit much and a bit weird if you ask me. I would love to see the return of those garlands, maybe on William or Caroline Street. It's more of a mid-century vibe but I would personally love it. I suspect they may interfere with stoplights, etc., but I did love those garlands..
I would LOVE to see a mid-century Christmas in Fredericksburg! Maybe along Monument Avenue near Kenmore?
Great idea!
I remember the pear!! Lovely column Shaun.