Leesburg's Fraternal Order of Police Stewart-Barton Lodge No. 70 participated in its second FOP and Kids event at Target on Saturday. Police officers and members of the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office took 10 children on a shopping spree after they ate breakfast with Santa Clause. The meal was provided by the Leesburg Moose Lodge No. 1041. Donations from the State Farm Agent Meggan Culp, Dulles Motor Cars, Leesburg Pharmacy, Aiyara Thai Restaurant, Jeanette Irby, Joe Ritenour, Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department Recreational Outreach to Community Kids (ROCK) Program, Leesburg Police…

 Tally Ho Theatre in downtown Leesburg is catering to Christmas movie buffs with the "16 Days of Xmas" event. The theater will be showing a Christmas movie every day at 11 a.m, for only $1. There will be four movies shown for four days each, starting with the family classic, "The Muppet Christmas Carol." "A Christmas Story," " Home Alone," and a more recent Christmas classic, "Elf," will follow. People are looking forward to reliving their childhood in the downtown theater. Britta Abrams, who is visiting family in Leesburg for the holidays, is glad that "Home Alone'"is going to be playing …

 You won't find bigger proponents of the "shop local" movement than the folks who work at Caulkins Jewelers, located at 11 S. King St. In business since 1956, owners Stanley and Roger Caulkins have seen a lot of changes come to Leesburg, many of which have hurt their business. "Those big box stores are cutting our legs off," Stanley Caulkins said. Locally owned jewelry shops have become a thing of the past in many ways, and Caulkins Jewelers finds itself constantly trying to find what will appeal to Leesburg residents both old and new. As a result, they're much more than jewelry. Caulkins …

1. Wegmans, located at 101 SE Crosstrail Blvd, will be open on Christmas Eve, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store will be closed on Christmas day. Call 703-669-2044 .2. CVS, located at 616 East Market Street, will be open 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call 703-777-2940.3. McDonalds, located at 335 East Market Street, will be open normal hours on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will reopen on Christmas day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 703-777-5881.4. Starbucks, located at 531 East Market Street, will be open normal business hours on Christmas Eve and will reopen on Christmas day from 7 …

Kim Williams, owner of the Reign of Cats and Dogs, knows what your pet wants for Christmas, and she probably has it in stock. "This month we've sold lots of ornaments, treats, about a million collars and bandanas and toys," she said. Located in the upstairs of an old building in historic Leesburg, the specialty shop has four rooms full of novelty items for your favorite pet. She has stocked up on holiday items and they are flying off the shelves like hotcakes. "I started getting ready for the holidays back in August, before people were even thinking about them," she said. "I had to start …

 About half a dozen families gathered at Ida Lee Recreation Center on Sunday for a make-your-own gingerbread house class, allowing children from ages 4 – 9 a chance to enjoying constructing their own confectionary homes. Instructor Ali Gillingham has been running the class for the past three years, and says it's popular because parents get to leave the mess of the gingerbread house construction behind. "It's nice to just take the house home when it's done," she said. Several children took advantage of the excuse to eat as much candy as possible. Sydni and Sofia Pistolesi, 4-year-old twins, …

 The annual Leesburg Christmas parade drew hundreds of people downtown to watch area bands, churches and organizations march through the street with holiday music and messages. For longtime Leesburg resident Catherine Dodds, the parade was nothing new this year. She's lived in town for 42 years, and watches every parade. But she enjoyed sharing this year's parade with her friend Elizabeth Rice, who recently moved to town. Rice and Dodds watched the parade from Dodds' home on King Street, but because of the brisk, December morning, were happy it was only 35 minutes long. Jaimee Conner, who …

 Though they opened their store in 2001, the Craig family has been living with model trains for much longer. Co-owner Grace Craig says that "my husband had this as a hobby, and I have two boys and a girl who are all adults now, and we just kind of dragged them in with us." Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles has model trains for everyone: whether it's a Thomas the Tank Engine set for your toddler, or a $6,000 engine for an avid collector, all ages and price ranges are represented in the shop. Grace Craig said the holiday season is their busiest. "The ready-to-run sets are very popular," she said…

 The owners of Lou Lou are making sure they have plenty of merchandise ready for the holiday shopping season. Whether it's a scarf, hat, boots, apparel or a fashion accessory, they have something for everyone. "We can always fill a void," said manager, Jennifer Holder. Lou Lou is a trendy clothing boutique in Leesburg, specializing in women's fashions. Co-owner Tara Wegdam handpicks every item in the store, and her staff said she has a "terrific eye." The shop's owners, Tara and Ben Wegdam, opened the first Lou Lou in Middleburg in June 2004, and a year later they opened the Leesburg …

 The Town of Leesburg rang in the holiday season with singing, lighting a menorah and the lighting of its Christmas tree in front of Town Hall Friday. Mayor Kristen Umstattd, assisted by some children from Leesburg, threw the switch lighting the tree and drawing the cheers of the assembled crowd. Parker Kranz, 8, a student at Leesburg Elementary School and one of the children who assisted the mayor, said his favorite part of the whole evening was getting a chance to stand by Umstattd as the tree flashed into life. "I liked standing with the mayor," he said. Gissell Herrera, 5, and her …

One of the highlights of Leesburg's 2010 Christmas tree lighting was the reading of the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Mayor Kristen Umstattd, Vice Mayor Kevin Wright, council members David Butler, Thomas S. Dunn, II, Kathryn Sheldon Hammler, Fernando "Marty" Martinez, Kenneth "Ken" Reid and Loudoun County Supervisor Kelly Burk.

 In addition to a chance to visit various downtown businesses and celebrate Leesburg's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, First Friday will offer an opportunity to donate to local nonprofits. Loudoun Interfaith Bridges and Loudoun Cares are hosting an alternative gift fair tomorrow from 5 – 9 p.m. at 25 S. King St., offering people a chance to donate gifts to non-profits in the name of their friends and loved ones. Participating charities will offer a variety of gift ideas, such as a $10 donation of books for pre-schoolers, $20 to deliver groceries to seniors and $50 to provide insulin…

 The Oatlands Plantation, in Leesburg plans to welcome "visitors" for the holidays. A special, holiday-themed exhibit, "Visitors to Oatlands," will run through the season, giving the public the chance to see what the house would have looked like many years ago at Christmas. Kirsten Edwards, curator of collections and education said the mansion is fully decorated this year. There is a large Christmas tree in the drawing room, a table that is set up for a traditional holiday feast, as well a number of ornaments, poinsettias, wreaths and greeneries. Outside, the carriage house and gardens are …

  Black Friday crowds were still going strong at retailers in Leesburg this afternoon, as shoppers continued to seek deals on appliances, entertainment systems and holiday presents for loved ones. Kathy Bubb and her daughter, Katie, both of Ashburn, were at the Target on Evans Mill Road looking for presents for their nieces and nephews. The young relations usually get pajamas and a book each, and grandma gets a Christmas CD and a book, Kathy said. "And maybe we can sneak something in for Dad, while he goes to get sodas," Kathy said. But many others were looking for deals for themselves, …

 The Leesburg Vintner, located at 29 S. King St.,  is filled to the brim with wine, champagne, beer and snacks. Open since 1988, Leesburg Vitner does a steady business year-round. However, owner Mike Carroll said he sees an uptick in business around the holidays. Leesburg Vintner has holiday gifts from $20 - $200, so one can buy an elaborate present, like a bottle of Cristal champagne, or give a more reasonably priced bottle of wine from one of Loudoun County's many wineries. Of their selection, Carroll says that they "have a lot of different wines at a lot of different price points to try …

 As shoppers from around the region descended upon the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, crowds and long lines did not deter their hunting for early morning deals at their favorite accessory stores. But the parking situation nearly did. For Randi Frazier, who travelled with her sister and a friend from Washington, D.C. to the outlet's annual Midnight Madness shopping event, parking didn't ruin her good time, but the hunt for a parking space was less enjoyable than shopping. "It was horrendous," she said. Frazier arrived at the outlets at midnight after driving for more than an hour to get to …

 The old axiom that "kids say the darnedest things" rang true when several area were asked what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. But it wasn't Wii, Barbies and other toys that made their lists. These children were most thankful for their families. Matthew Lincoln, 6, said that he is thankful for eating with his family on Thanksgiving. "Family, my house, my friends," said Izzy Francisco, 6. "I'm thankful to be with my family and having nice food to eat," said Timmy Lanigan, 9. At this answer, his mother let out a sigh of relief.  "I was worried he was going to say his video …