“The Weekly Bleat: Winter Wonderland”
It doesn’t quite feel like Christmastime in my community until the Christmas Lighting Ceremony has taken place at the Bedford, Virginia landmark formerly known as the Elks National Home. The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is the fraternal organization that has operated the facility for over a century. The Elks National Home was recently sold and the new owner, English Meadows, has promised to continue the Christmas light tradition. Although this icon of Christmas has a new name, to those of us who have passed through those festive gates countless times over the years, it will always be ‘The Elks Home.’
This spectacular presentation of lights and scenery has been a tradition every December except one since 1953. Creating this winter wonderland is a monumental task. Beginning the first week of November, the Home’s maintenance crew as well as residents work many hours to hang tens of thousands of light bulbs and display numerous pieces of scenery. According to the Elks National Home, there are upwards of 20,000 vehicles that pass through the grounds each Christmas Season.
Here’s the thing: I wanted to share a Christmas tradition that I’ve delighted in since childhood. I hope you enjoy this little tour through ‘The Elks Home’ winter wonderland, and may your holidays be merry and bright!
If you would like to enjoy a bit of festive music while touring the Christmas light display, just click on the link. 🙂
“Winter Wonderland” from The Christmas Grass album
Categories: Christmas
fourth generation farmgirl 
Wow! What a beautiful display.
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Thank you!
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That’s a beautiful building – is it an old people’s home? If so, what a lovely idea for them to e njoy all those displays without having to go far.
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Thank you for reading my post. It’s an assisted living retirement home. Many of the residents help with the decorations. There was actually one resident early on who had been an artist for the Barnum & Bailey circus; he painted a number of the first displays.
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where’s the 8″ covering of white snow???
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Sadly in Virginia we don’t often get a white Christmas.
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Yeh, we didn’t have one here this year either. we’re supposed to get a wee bit of it tonight. we’ll see what comes of it come tomorrow morning.
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I hope you get a little snow; it is pretty. 🙂
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we’re supposed to have 2″ – 5″ tonight. hopefully it comes down after dark. I’d love to get out and take a walk in it. maybe get a few shots as well.
and then maybe come back indoors for a shot.
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Sounds like a good plan! 🙂
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I just hope these crazy south metro drivers don’t run me over.
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