It’s my town: Win a chance to be Santa’s guest

Find the golden ticket…

In the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," a young boy finds a golden ticket that, at the very least, wins him a chance to tour the most fantastic candy factory imaginable.

A tour of what was once Old Town Manassas' candy factory might not be as wondrous to a youngster these days, so Historic Manassas Inc. has come up with what they feel is a better idea.

The Merry Old Town Chocolate Bar is now on sale at participating merchants in Old Town. One of these milk chocolate bars contains the Golden Ticket.

The lucky child (or adult) who finds the ticket will win the opportunity to be Santa Claus' guest on his float in the 64th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. A parent or guardian will be able to accompany the winner, if necessary.

Once again sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 5. The parade starts on Mathis Avenue and continues down Center Street in Old Town, lasting about 2½ hours. More than 2,000 participants, including floats, marching bands, costumed characters and the Washington Redskins band will march in the parade.

The official Merry Old Town holiday season kicks off the night before the parade. On Dec. 4, Santa arrives in Old Town on the historic train depot via the Virginia Railway Express about 6 p.m.

Visitors can listen to the holiday voices of the Prince William Chorale and Christmas Swing sung by Manassas' own Jason Paul Curtis on the steps of the Manassas Museum and then watch as St. Nick and Manassas Mayor Harry "Hal" Parrish II light the Old Town Christmas tree. Free hayrides around town will be offered and the children can tell their wishes to Santa at the Harris Pavilion gazebo.

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

Merry Old Town celebrations continue even after the parade, when merchants of Old Town will host its annual Merchants Open House on Dec. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and a special appearance by Santa while gazing upon the many entries in the gingerbread house contest that will be on display in shop windows beginning Dec. 1. The public can vote for its favorite entry in the store or online at http://www.visitmanassas.org. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on that day as well as Dec. 13.

Chris Shea of Manassas was recently selected to play the roles of announcer, game show host, talk show host and Roy in the University of Mary Washington's production of "Reckless."

A sophomore business and theatre major, Shea has previously appeared in the school's plays of "Our Town," "The Heiress" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

The son of James and Patricia, Shea is a 2008 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School.

The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia invite area residents to join them at their annual Holydays & Holidays Sale to get a jump on holiday shopping while getting into the spirit of the season.

The event will take place at Saint Benedict Monastery on Nov. 21 and 22. There is no admission fee but there is a nominal charge for some of the specialty events. Proceeds will support the sisters in their continuing community services.

There will be homemade chili on Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; pancake breakfast on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon (Santa is expected to make an appearance); raffles and drawings; a multitude of holiday gift items, colorful decorations, handicrafts, works of art, religious items and many one-of-a-kind gifts for purchase and treats made by the sisters.

Electronic poll books replaced the old paper ones for the first time in this week's election and they worked well, according to Needham Kelly Jr., chief of Metz precinct in Manassas.

"The new system speeded the accountability of the voters," said Kelly, noting that it eliminated people standing in line while polling officials went through the paper books searching for their names.

"It worked out great for me," said Bob Hooe, 79, who was one of the voters at the precinct. He has been a resident of Manassas since 1936 and a regular voter through the years.

Voters coming into the parking lot at Baldwin precinct probably noted Jill Saylors of Manassas who was displaying a sign "Gov't Is Best Which Governs Least"—Thomas Payne. She is a member of the Northern Virginia 912 Project, which is striving to see less Federal government on people.

…"I'm unhappy with big government," said Saylors.