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The Valley community will have another stop to make in addition to the Merry Go Round for Christmas this year at the ball-field near Fairfax First Baptist Church. The church and The Valley Local are partnering to host The Community Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, December 11. 

The event will be in the ball field near Fairfax First Baptist Church where the Merry Go Round once sat before being moved, according to Sara Crutchfield, founder of The Valley Local. The Merry Go Round, a tradition which began in 1956 as a mill-operated community event, has since relocated to its new location at the Langdale mill on Highway 29.

The Christmas Celebration will include a Christmas Tree Lighting incorporating 31 small businesses and organizations. Each will decorate a tree, and the community will get to vote on first, second and third place winners during the event. 

Winners will be announced at a later date, according to Crutchfield. 

The event is free to the community. The community is encouraged to come out to enjoy hot chocolate, live music and the Nativity Scene with a story to hear. 

“Throughout December, we invite everyone to visit the tree walk that will stay in place until December 31st,” Crutchfield said in a statement to the Valley Times-News.