Buchanan Christmas Eve Luninaries

Discover Buchanan, Virginia, “the Town that Glows with LOVE.” Buchanan invites you to be part of the Town’s Christmas Eve Luminaries Sunday, December 24th as a Volunteer, or, a Spectator.

Volunteers are needed at to help set out Luminaries at 3 p.m and, Volunteers are needed at 5 p.m. to help light luminaries.
Where did the idea for using water and milk jugs for Christmas Eve luminaries come from in the Town of Buchanan?
History tells us following the flood of 1985 there were a mountain of plastic gallon jugs in which people sent water to the Town of Buchanan for the residents who had no drinking water due to the flood. One of the Town residents, Jean Baber, had seen luminaries using paper bags when she visited her daughter. Jean thought it would be a great idea for the residents of the Town of Buchanan in appreciation of all the kindness shown during the flood to use the plastic jugs for luminaries on Christmas Ever. So, that year was the start of the luminary project.

When the Town started the Downtown Revitalization Program in 1995, developing a Christmas Calendar of Events was one of the early projects. Jean brought up the idea of returning to Christmas Eve Luminaries and said her vision was for the Town of Buchanan to become known as “the Town that glows with love.” With this story in hand, how could we not rekindle that great event, so, we took on the project and partnered with Buchanan Elementary School the first few years. Fifth Grade Teachers Liz Provost and Vickie Vines coordinated the efforts to collect milk jugs and make the first luminaries.
Since that time, the project has grown and has become one of the most anticipated holiday traditions drawing visitors and residents alike to downtown Buchanan to witness firsthand “Buchanan Virginia, the Town that glows with love.”

From the beginning, volunteers known as the Buchanan Special Events Committee embraced the project. Since this time, the project has grown attracting volunteers from the Town and County. Some years more streets have been lined as new and old volunteers return to help line Main Street.
Every year area residents continue to donate 1 gallon plastic jugs to make the project happen while others donate money to help purchase 10 hour votive candles and on Christmas Eve we all gather once again to line Main Street with luminaries.

Buchanan remembers the generosity shown to the Town following the flood of 1985, and, we honor those volunteers who have passed away, helping to make Buchanan “the Town that glows with love.”

Would you like to be part of this tradition? Donations are accepted to help cover the cost of candles, or, join us on Christmas Eve at the Carson Memorial Building across from the Fire and Rescue Building at 3 p.m. to line Main Street with Luminaries, or, at 5.p.m. to help light the luminaries.
For additional information call 540-254-1212. Merry Christmas from the Town of Buchanan!