2014 Olde Towne Scottish Walk. Happy Hogmanay!

Flag bearers at the start of the Olde Towne Scottish Walk.

Each New Year's Eve, people from all around eastern Virginia, come to Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia for the annual Scottish Walk. Modeled after Scotland's Hogmanay Festival, a day when townspeople honor their community and merchants and offer blessings for prosperity in the coming year. The procession includes  locals, family, friends and visitors led by pipe-and-drum bands. The participants gather at the corner of  Queen and Washington streets and march through the historic streets of Olde Towne ending at the High Street Landing where all  join hands and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

Some of our Scottish youth carries the banner for the Scottish
Society of Tidewater,Virginia. 

The Story Behind the Music: ‘Auld Lang Syne’

Many people are familiar with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ yet few may actually know what 'Auld Lang Syne' is all about.  Of course, many people will instantly associate the words with "Scotland" or perhaps ‘New Year’.  Some people consider it to be an international expression of friendship, fellowship and hope.  Others perceive it to be a simple song, presented at the conclusion of a social gathering, remembering the past and re-affirming the importance of our future, and those important to us.  Of course ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is ALL of these things! 

Carrying the colors.

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem that was written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song.  It is well known in many English-speaking (and other) countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight.  Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the use of the song at New Year’s celebrations in America, through his annual broadcasts on radio and television, beginning in 1929. The song became his trademark.

The Rampant Lion/The Royal Arms of Scotland.

Kilts and tartans.

and Lassie too!

Ready to march through historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

Waiting for the rifle salute that starts the Scottish Walk.

Susan Healey. The grand lady!

The Scottish Society of Tidewater.

The procession though Olde Towne begins.

Walking along Washington Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

Happy New Years to all!

Photos by Joe Elder.

The Commodore Theatre Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence

The Commodore Theatre in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

The Commodore Theatre will celebrate 25 years to the day that it re-opened as the restored Commodore Theatre with a new vision of first-run movies and fine dining, the first such cinema-eatery in the country.

The Commodore Theatre was recently named one of the "10 greatest dine-in theaters in America" in a Motion Picture Association of America publication (2014) and one of America's 7 Best Movie Theaters of Food Lovers," in a 2013 issue of Bon Appetit Magazine.

Originally built in 1945, the Commodore is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and on the Virginia Landmarks Register, for it's architecture, decor and rich history.

The public is invited to stop by the theatre between noon and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21 to celebrate with friends of the theatre. Commemorative cakes and other refreshments will be available. A brief recognition ceremony will be held from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m..

The theatre will be showing National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation," starting December 19 through December 24 which also premiered 25 years ago in 1989.

For more information, call the theatre at 757-393-4383 or visit the Commodore's website at www.commodoretheatre.com  

The 2014 Historic Olde Towne Holiday Home Tour

Friday, December 12, 2014 from 5-9 pm
Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 2-8 pm

Visit historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia for a weekend full of holiday events. The Historic Olde Towne Holiday Home Tour will again be a two-day event with seven Southern homes decked out with Christmas spirit. Ticket holders may tour either day or split the seven tour stops between the two days.

The historic Hill House is part of this years
Olde Towne Holiday Home Tour.

This Years Olde Towne Homes Open for the Holiday Home Tour include:

106 London Street

221 North Street - Historic Hill House

339 Court Street

340 court Street

329 Court 

497 North

506 Hampton Place

Live music will be playing throughout the tour celebrating the traditional sounds of the season and historical vignettes are part of the entertainment at some of the homes, including a colonial dance demonstration and recollections by a 19th century sea captain. Refreshments will be served at the Hill House including hot wassail for purchase. And don't miss the commemorative merchandise for this year's tour by local artist Karen Goins, also on sale at the Hill House (221 North Street).

The Historic Olde Towne Holiday Home Tour this year is held in conjunction with the Annual Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival. Launched in 1998, this festival has become one of Portsmouth's signature Holiday Season events. It is a musical tribute to the spirit of the Holiday Season, enlivening the historic High Street corridor with performances, children's activities, re-en-actors in period attire and strolling characters. This event offers a musically packed day for visitors to Olde Towne Portsmouth featuring choral groups from regional schools as well as performances by established recording artists. http://www.portsvaevents.com/december_2014.html

Tickets for the Historic Olde Towne Holiday Home Tour are $20 per person and can be purchased at the event, at many Olde Towne business locations and also online. For more information, ticket locations and online ticket sales go to: http://www.otcl.org/Events.html  or call 757-235-2608.

This holiday event is sponsored by the Olde Towne Civic League, The Olde Towne Business Association the City of Portsmouth and the new Portsmouth Kroger's Marketplace.

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market- A treasure Trove to Be Discovered

"Great Finds of All Kinds"

The popular "Antiques to Flea Market’ is held the first Saturday of each month, in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Browse through an eclectic collection of unique and antique wares. With over 60 dealers and vendors exhibiting, bargain hunters and serious collectors will discover a great selection of antique and estate furniture, architectural antiques, china, silverware, art and prints, sporting gear, musical instruments, books and ephemera. There are even hand-made crafts and toys, as well as decorative accessories and flea market items of all types and one-of-a-kind items priced to sell. Held inside the Middle Street garage located on the corner of Middle and London. 

You will also find during the December Antiques to Flea Market all types of vintage and antique Christmas decorations and unusual Christmas gift items for the hard to find eclectic collector in your life! 

The  Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month.

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market opens at 10am til 2 pm. Come early for best selections! http://www.oldetowneportsmouth.com/ 
757-339-1876

Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association.