Haymarket to hold holiday party

Each year on the first Saturday of December, residents of Haymarket get together for an open-air holiday party including Christmas carols, a tree lighting, visits with Santa Claus, warmth by the fire-pits, and a 'Taste of Haymarket" featuring delicious samples of local dishes provided by Haymarket eateries and restaurants.

The party also serves another very important function -- the collection and sending of gifts to our troops abroad.

Donated gifts are collected during November and early December and are packaged and wrapped for delivery by local children as a major activity of the Haymarket holiday party.

"We are very proud of our residents and businesses who always step up to the plate when it comes to supporting our troops," said Pam Stutz, mayor of Haymarket. "Haymarket is a small town and yet we are able to send a considerable amount of gifts to our troops abroad due to the generosity of our residents and businesses."

Two of Haymarket's Town Council members have served in Iraq, accoarding to Stutz: current Vice Mayor John Cole, who served there in 2008, and recently-resigned Councilman Ozzie Vasquez, who is currently serving in Iraq.

This year's holiday party is scheduled for Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Town Center at Washington and Jefferson streets.

Washington Street will be closed between Jefferson and Fayette streets from 3 to 7 p.m. on the day of the festivities.

This year's event includes a large tree provided by Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm (middleburgxmastrees.com); a Santa House to let children whisper their most secret desires to Santa; carols provided by local schools; Tasty Treats from Haymarket eateries; and the wrapping of gifts for U.S. troops abroad.

Here's a list of gift drop-off locations and suggested gift items for our troops abroad. This is also available at www.townofhaymarket.org

Gift drop-off boxes are available at the following locations from now through Friday (all locations in Haymarket except where noted):

• Allstate, Linda Marlow Insurance Agency, 6601 Jefferson St.

• Arthur's Court Pet Boutique & Bakery, 14891-B Washington St.

• BB&T Haymarket Branch, 14931 Washington St.

• Burke & Associates, Inc., 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., #402, McLean

• Cathy's Hair Design, 14950 Washington St., # 102

• Cupcake Heaven, 14950 Washington St.

• Daytime Playtime Enrichment Center, 15026 Washington St.

• Exit Heritage Realty, 15030 Washington St.

• Guiseppe's Ristorante Italiano, 15120 Washington St.

• Haymarket Town Hall/Police Department, 14710 Washington St.

• Melanie's Florist, 15111 Washington St., #101

• Needles in The Haymarket, 15125 Washington St., # 316

• Haymarket Subway, 6747 Leaberry Way

• Dominion Valley Subway, 5481 Merchants View Square

• The Very Thing Consignment Shop, 15000 Washington St., # 110

Recommended gift items include the following:

• A&D ointment

• Batteries (AA, AAA, C)

• Cooling misters

• Crayons

• Envelopes

• Games

• Magazines

• Playing cards

• Shampoo

• Single-serve packet drink mixes

• Soap

• Tissues (individual packets)

• Wrapped candies

• AT&T international phone cards

• Chapstick

• Cough drops

• Dental floss

• Flashlights

• Gum

• Nail clippers

• Puzzles

• Shaving cream

• Sunscreen (no aerosols)

• Writing paper

• Baby wipes

• Cliff bars

• Craft pipe cleaners

• Disposable cameras

• Foot powder

• Ibuprofen and acetominophen

• Lotion

• Pens

• Q-tips

• Shoe insole cushions

• Small paper pads

•Toothbrush and toothpaste

-- Press release