The second annual Candlelight Christmas Walk, hosted by Clarkesville Main Street, will be held on Monday, December 18 at 6 p.m. Everyone is asked to gather at the Burns-Sutton House (Norton Agency) located at 855 Washington Street.
Tradition in 1920s to 1940s
Clarkesville Main Street Director Colby Moore shares that, while this marks the second year of the Candlelight Christmas Walk, the event is a revival of an age-old Clarkesville tradition that spanned the 1920s to the 1940s. During those decades, community residents would gather for a candlelight walk from the Burns-Sutton House to the downtown square to celebrate the festive season.
LED (flameless) candles are given to those enjoying the walk. There are stops at each church along Washington Street where Christmas hymns and carols will be sung.
Musical festivities
Singing will begin at the Presbyterian Church, with subsequent stops at the Methodist Church featuring a live nativity scene, followed by visits to the Baptist and Episcopal Churches. The final destination will be the downtown square, where a choir will sing to the group Christmas carols and hymns. Following the musical festivities, a local pastor will read the Christmas Bible story.
Moore emphasized that last year’s event drew attendees from outside the local area who were delighted by its reverent nature. Starting as a small group at the Burns-Sutton House, the gathering grew to about 75 to 80 people by the time it reached the downtown square.
The Candlelight Christmas Walk is free, and Moore encourages the public to attend.
