The town of Leesburg will host its annual candelaria Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. with Santa arriving at 6:30 p.m.
The event features more than 1,000 candles lined up along many of the streets in the immediate downtown area, said Christina Archer, a lead organizer of the event.
The candelaria began in the 1980s, but fell dormant after a string of years hampered by rainy weather. However, the tradition was revived in 2010 and has continued since.
Archer credits two groups – the Leesburg 4-H members and local Boy Scouts – for their involvement and support of the event and predicted a strong turnout of volunteers this year who make the event possible.
One change from previous years is that the party will be at the Old Fire House behind the town hall in downtown Leesburg.
The change in location was necessary as the town prepares to renovate the town hall to make it handicapped accessible, Archer said.
Refreshments, including hot cocoa, will be available at the Old Fire House.
Cold weather and dry conditions are expected for Saturday in Leesburg.
The lack of rain in the forecast is a good sign.
“Snow is not really an obstacle, but rain – that is a bit of a challenge,” Archer said.
