'Tis The Season: Santa And The Grinch Set To Appear In Philippi

The festive spirit is about to sweep through Philippi as the town eagerly anticipates the upcoming appearances of the iconic duo, Santa Claus and the Grinch. The holiday celebrations kick off this Friday at 7 p.m. with the annual Christmas parade, where Santa himself will make a grand entrance into downtown, signaling the official start of the season.

Tygart Valley Santa will be making multiple public appearances, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to share their Christmas wishes and capture the magic of the season. On December 9, the jolly old elf will be hosting two "Breakfast with Santa" events. The first is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Medallion Restaurant, where reservations are required.

The festivities continue later that morning from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Barbour County Country Club. Again, reservations are required for this delightful breakfast rendezvous with Santa.

On December 15 and 16, following the enchanting performance of "Miracle on 34th Street" at Philip Barbour High School's Covered Bridge Christmas play, Santa, also known as "Kris Kringle," will be available to meet and greet children in a specially staged area for memorable Christmas photos, courtesy of the Philippi Christmas Committee.

As the month progresses, Santa will be out and about during the Christmas Stroll on December 21 from 6 to 7 p.m., spreading holiday joy at the courthouse gazebo and various music performance venues. Listen for his Christmas bell and join the festive atmosphere, all courtesy of the Philippi Christmas Committee.

The celebration concludes with the Santa Stroll in North Philippi on December 22 at 7 p.m. Families and friends are invited to gather as Santa strolls through the neighborhood, offering treats to kids and festive waves to all. In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the Santa Stroll is set for December 23.

Not to be outdone, the Grinch is set to make a mischievous appearance at the 17 North Event Center on Thursday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m. The "PJs and Pancakes" event, hosted by the Philippi Public Library, promises an evening of fun. To secure a spot at this whimsical gathering, reservations are required and must be made by December 1 by calling the Philippi Public Library at 304-457-3495.

Philippi residents can look forward to a month filled with holiday cheer, as Santa and the Grinch bring their own unique magic to the heart of West Virginia. Get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in Philippi!