Happy Holiday!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. We had a houseful and enjoyed every moment being with family. Grady took it on the chin, or should I say the tail, as he hit his tail so hard on our walls greeting people he opened up a cut and off to the vet he went! In fact, there is a name for this condition (not kidding): Happy Tail.
Elizabeth River Trailhead at Larchmont Library
On a very cold and windy day in November, we cut the ribbon on the new trailhead on the Elizabeth River Trail at Larchmont Library. While still a bit of work to complete in warmer weather, this trailhead will house a kayak launch, new play areas and vastly improved open space. The views of the Elizabeth River are stunning. And, in a little under a year, the renovated Larchmont Library will re-open. So, this area will be full of activity and fun. The Elizabeth River Trail has come a long way in 25 years. Way to go!
Holidays in Norfolk
There is so much to do during this holiday season in Norfolk. I welcomed visitors to Nauticus to kick-off Winterfest on the Battleship Wisconsin. This year, the lights extend from the Battleship Wisconsin to the Pagoda and through Town Point Park. The ice skating rink is back! The rink is next to the Otter Berth next to Waterside. I love driving home at night and seeing all of the lights downtown.
The Grand Illumination Parade in downtown Norfolk on November 22 was indeed, GRAND! The crowds were huge. There were 92 floats/entrants in the parade that made the opening of the season full of joy.
Norfolk Botanical Gardens has the Garden of Lights. The Wells Theatre has two Christmas themed shows – “A Merry Little Christmas” and “A Sherlock Carol”. The Virginia Zoo has a holiday market and the Noon Year’s Eve Day Celebration with the animals. The Chrysler Museum Perry Glass Studio has glass ornaments and a holiday sale. Attucks Theatre has the Charlie Brown Christmas music event. Chrysler Hall has a variety of shows. Virginia Arts Festival is hosting a plethora of artists. The Ghent Tree Lighting is Friday, December 5 with the Hurrah Players and the Ghent Holiday Farmers Market is Sunday, December 7.
The list goes on. One can only say that Norfolk is the region’s hub for tourism, arts, shows, entertainment and more this holiday season.
By the way, one visit to the doctor with Grady is enough for this family. I will go to the ice rink but only to watch others try their skates. I encourage all to enjoy Norfolk during this holiday season.
Have a wonderful December and see you in 2026!
Cheers!
Courtney
Winterfest at the Battleship Wisconsin
Pagoda as part of Winterfest
Grand Illumination Parade
Ribbon cutting at Dogtopia in Ghent
Look at Grady’s tail with the plastic attachment to prevent further Happy Tail