TRAVEL COLUMN: Christmas is festive, if snowless, in southwest Virginia

Being flatlanders from south Georgia, a December trip to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains brings a wisp of the Christmas spirit, even during early December when there’s no snow on the ground. Cooler Virginia temperatures remind us of long-ago childhood Christmases in Indiana and South Dakota, without the mountains, of course.

We recently spent five days in the Roanoke area, where we took in a Christmas parade, enjoyed holiday-themed theater, marveled at thousands of colorful lights, watched ice skaters and strolled through markets full of wreaths and fresh greenery.

Along the way we visited museums, consumed delicious meals, stayed in an historic downtown hotel and played some pinball.

Attending a professional production of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” on the first night was a perfect beginning for the trip. The musical, presented by the Mill Mountain Theatre, included professional acting, singing, dancing, costume designs and live music that were simply excellent.

Mill Mountain Theatre is a component of Center in the Square, a downtown building that also houses the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and the Roanoke Pinball Museum, which explores the history of the arcade game with more than 50 machines.

Center in the Square also hosted “Holiday Music” in which artists, including cast members from “White Christmas,” sang carols and other holiday songs while encouraging audience participation.

The library at the History Museum of Western Virginia hosted children who sat on the floor and interacted for an hour with Santa. With his red jacket hanging by the fireplace, Santa was casually dressed in a green shirt and red pants while he told stories, played his guitar and sang Christmas songs.

Several other musical events were scheduled in the city during December. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra presented “Holiday Pops!” with members of the Virginia Tech and the Roanoke Valley Children’s choirs. The Symphony also presented a portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” These took place at the Jefferson Center, which provides a venue to a range of performances including those of the Roanoke Children’s Theatre.

The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without “The Nutcracker.” We enjoyed a magical performance by the Southwest Virginia Ballet in the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre.

A railroad city that grew up in the late 19th century, Roanoke sponsors a “Dickens of a Christmas” the first three Friday evenings in December. Carolers, dancers and other entertainers stroll the downtown streets. Stations are set up for face painting and photos with Santa and Frosty. Booths sell Christmas items and food including roasted chestnuts.

The first Friday featured the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, while the second Friday featured the annual Christmas parade. The third Friday was devoted to a pet costume contest and a snow zone.

From Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, Roanoke’s downtown Elmwood Park features a small ice-skating rink and ice slide. The latter appeared to be a real treat for the youngsters who kept circling back for another trip.

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center served as the perfect base for our exploration of the town’s Christmas events. Located across the road from the Roanoke Valley Visitor Center, it is within easy walking distance of most of the festivities.

The hotel also plays its own part in Roanoke’s Christmas celebration. Each Christmas season it sponsors “Fashions for Evergreens.” This year – its 16th installment – more than 30 decorated trees were scattered throughout the hotel’s lobbies and hallways with decorations prepared by businesses and organizations in their choice of themes.

Hotel visitors voted for their favorite tree with monetary contributions, which were donated to the United Way of the Roanoke Valley. “Fashions for Evergreens” is open to the public through New Year’s Day.

Even sports fans get into the spirit of the season. The Rail Yard Dawgs – members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, which plays in the South and Midwest – designate one game in December for a “Teddy Bear Toss.” Fans throw new teddy bears onto the ice after the Dawgs score their first goal. The bears are collected and donated to local children’s hospitals.

Roanoke was cold but that didn’t keep us from enjoying the town’s many Christmas-related activities.

Now, if only it had snowed.

David and Kay Scott are authors of “Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges” (Globe Pequot). Visit them at www.valdosta.edu/~dlscott/Scott