Leesburg committee readies Mistletoe Market plan, seeks council approval

The Leesburg Performing Arts Committee at a recent meeting agreed to draft a budget and logistics proposal for the Leesburg Movement Mistletoe Market, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, with Sunday as a rain date, and to ask the town council to approve funding and permits needed for the event.

The committee's discussion focused on vendors, entertainment, volunteer support and the practical logistics of staging performances at the courthouse green. Barbara (committee member) summarized last year's show and current goals: "They had 18 vendors last year. They're hoping to have more this year with more publicity," and described a lineup that has previously included a professional Santa, a children’s story time by Birch Tree Books and at least one musician with students.

Committee members said the market would be held on the courthouse green in coordination with the town tree-lighting ceremony (the market takes place before the lighting). Members emphasized that the courthouse area is largely open (streets are not closed for the event) and that load-in and setup logistics must be coordinated with Leesburg Movement. "You have to think about your logistics — where are they parking? How are they getting in and out?" a committee member said during the discussion.

Most of the substantive planning decisions were procedural rather than final approvals: the group directed staff and members to prepare a budget and a presentation for the council. The committee set an internal schedule to finalize a mistletoe-market budget at its August meeting, complete material for the town by Sept. 10 and, if…