A Taste of Farmville

Miracle on Main Street: A Taste of Farmville brings the merry to Christmas

Bedford Falls, the fictional small town from It’s a Wonderful Life, had nothing on Farmville Friday night. Business owners rolled out the red carpet, hung the green, and warmed the hot chocolate during the town’s “A Taste of Farmville” event. The only thing missing from an idyllic snow globe Christmas scene was the white stuff, and with freezing temperatures, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine it.

The annual event held the first Friday of December and hosted by the Farmville Chamber of Commerce showcases the town itself, and all it has to offer. In 2022, Our State Magazine named Farmville one of five North Carolina towns that belong in a Christmas movie.

The store window of Dapper Dan’s was a time travel experience itself, with an enormous rotating teddy bear, Santas in various sizes and jovial dispositions, alongside angels and elves. Farmville Furniture, one of the oldest continuously running furniture stores in the state, has been a fixture for 116 years. This time of year the store is bursting with decor from White House to whimsical. A visit to Main Street wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the store with the phabulous name, Pharmville Drug, and picking up one of their calendars while there.

Window at Dapper Dan’s

“’A Taste of Farmville’ is one of Farmville’s most loved Christmas traditions where folks travel from near and far to enjoy all the festivities that celebrate the Christmas season,” Millissa Alexander, Farmville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said.

Main street was closed to traffic and the event began at the Farmville Town Common with a traditional community tree lighting along with story time and pictures with Santa. The downtown festivities began after the tree lighting and featured carriage rides, Christmas music and carolers strolling around town.

New for this year, Miriam and Jessica, from Little Creek Market from nearby Walstonburg, were selling fresh Christmas trees and wreaths at the May Museum. Also the Farmville Public Library organized a children’s story walk with free ornaments at participating merchants.

Prior to the evening festivities, at the Farmville Community Center Nathan R. Cobb Sr. Pavilion, the Farmville Food Hub and Ripe Revival offered holiday foods for those who may be struggling to put food on their table this holiday season. A live cooking demonstration was given with locally sourced meats and vegetables, and local produce was offered, along with an activity bus for children.

A highlight of the Farmville event is having musicians playing all over town, hosted by different businesses. Alice Vines, known as one of the Glorifying Vines Sisters, brought gospel to Divine Destini boutique. James Nobles performed at Elvin Tuten Barbershop. William Rigsbee was at Audrey’s Herbal Spa. Kathy Sprau was situated with her majestic harp in Farmville Furniture. Hiks Fashions hosted violinists Anya and Saanvi Kumar. Violinists Stephanie Suedbeck and Julia Palmer performed at Lee and Harrell. Robert Hughes, Jon Kirchoff, and Andrew Canaan, collectively known as “Velveteen Gordon,” played in Dapper Dans. Harper and Grayson charmed audiences with tuba duets at Up the Street Gallery. Guitarist “Gator Myke” played at the May Museum and vocalist Lauren Roupe performed at Jessica’s Gun Shop. Shepard Lilley brought acoustic kids karaoke to Vintage Point, a vintage toys and memorabilia store, and Farmville Hardware hosted “Music Head DJs.”

Noah Jackson Cobb, who brought his signature country sound to Pierce Insurance, said, “It is always an honor to be asked to play in Farmville because it’s such a welcoming town. It’s even better to play for the Taste of Farmville event because the town really goes out of its way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”

Robert Hughes, Jon Kirchoff, and Andrew Canaan, collectively known as Velveteen Gordon, played in Dapper Dans.

_Jack Fisher, a member of the barbershop style vocal group the Carolina Chord Connection, was joined by Bob Hanrahan, Charlotte Smith, Dan Sprau, and Don Wigent. He said, “All wore extra clothing in anticipation of the cold but it wasn’t actually too bad because there was little wind. More stores seemed open this year and treats or hot drinks in some locations were really nice. You always seem to recognize people you know and stop and chat for a few minutes. You can also stop to listen to the other music groups and give them a little applause. We sang mostly outside on the street but did a few indoor places as well. We enjoy doing this for the community and get to sing the songs we’ve worked on for more people. It also gives us a little more exposure to potential members and for building an audience for our annual show. We’re happy that the Chamber of Commerce provides this opportunity and it was well done this year.”

Jim Joseph played at East Carolina Art Space with the Celtic band Twisted Knot. He said that a quote posted by Michael Murphy described his feelings while performing Friday night: “That first breath that a choir or orchestra takes together, a breath filled with focus, intention, and emotion, a breath unified for no other reason than to make something beautiful together–that is the reason we do what we do.”