"Merry and Bright' "Merry and Bright" the 22nd Community Christmas program is held at Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Virginia, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7. This year's special program spotlights the youth talent in the area. An array of local musicians, dancers and storytellers donate their time and talents to benefit agencies in the community that help provide food for those in need.
The program raises money to purchase turkey and ham gift certificates that can be used by these non-profit agencies over the holidays. Some of the agencies that receive donations are Washington County Social Services, Salvation Army and Ecumenical Faith in Action. The program also funds the Community Christmas Dinner held at The Community Center of Abingdon that helps feed more than 800 on Christmas Day. Monetary help is also given to other agencies such as Appalachian Sustainable Development's Healthy Farms program.
Community Christmas Inc. is a totally volunteer organization and relies on donations, program sponsorships as well as ticket sales to raise the needed funds.
This year's program chairpersons are Vinny Ringrose, Jennifer Ferreira and Gill Braswell. The committee is planning a lively show featuring past favorites and newcomers as well as special preshow entertainment. The line-up features more than 12 different groups and individuals and features many talented young artists as well as outstanding adult talent.
Some of the performers you can expect to see are Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, The Lugo Family Strings, King University Men's a capella choir, the award-winning Mars Hill University Bailey Mountain Cloggers, Highlands Center for Ballet, Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy, Eugene Wolf, Cherry Norris, Mark Handy with Mountain Park Old Time Band and many more.
Tickets for the performance are $7 and are available only through the Barter Box Office or by calling 276-628-3991.
