Leesburg Candleria Brings Town Residents Out To Celebrate Christmas

LEESBURG – Approximately 50 people helped with the Candleria, and Leesburg’s Christmas party drew a crowd to the old fire station Saturday.
Members of Leesburg 4-H Mighty Farmers and Boy Scout Troop 729 lit luminaries along the main streets in town.
Town Council President Christina Archer said she believed there were close to 50 people helping with placing a little over 1,300 luminaries.

    Khloe Schneider helps put down luminaries during Leesburg’s Candleria Saturday. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
  

After the luminaries were lit, Leesburg had its annual Christmas party, which started at 6 p.m. at the old fire station.
During the party, the Leesburg Elementary School choir performed, as well as local band Beez and the Rocker. Santa Claus also ended up making a visit to the party.
Archer said she was really pleased with Saturday’s event. This year was the first year the choir performed at the Christmas party, “and you could see everyone’s really enjoying that.”
Archer said she believes the event really brings the community together.
“I mean, Leesburg only has 500 people,” but she noted the event brought a crowded room full of people out. “It really brings everybody out. Like I said, it makes it all worthwhile to do it because (it’s) bringing people out to enjoy a good time with their friends and family and neighbors. It’s something I enjoyed,” Archer said, noting she has memories of participating in the event when she was younger.

    Kari Blackwell, Cub Scout master of Leesburg Pack 3729, helps light luminaries during Leesburg’s Candleria Saturday. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
  

The Candleria was put on by Leesburg Merchants Association for a number of years in the 1980s and ’90s, Archer said. When the association dissolved, that brought the end of the Candleria until Archer moved back to Leesburg and helped start it back up in 2010.
“It’s taken a few years to build it up. And it just seems like every year is better than the year before,” Archer said.

    Santa makes an appearance during the Leesburg Christmas party Saturday at the old Leesburg fire station. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union Santa makes an appearance during the Leesburg Christmas party Saturday at the old Leesburg fire station.