Holiday Travel Numbers

AAA forecasts 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday travel season, a 1.4 percent increase over last year. That travel number would be the second highest in the past decade and represents 30 percent of the total U.S. population. AAA defines the Year-End holiday travel season as Friday, December 23, 2011 to Monday, January 2, 2012.

Fifty-nine percent of intending travelers feel the economy has either no impact on their travel plans or they feel like things have improved for them. The remaining 41 percent state an intention to scale back travel plans due to economic concerns.

The current national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is approximately $3.26 per gallon, 28 cents more than one year ago.

Holiday Season in Lexington

Downtown Lexington will be hosting several holiday events over the next few weeks.

The Annual Candlelight Processional and Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree will take place Friday, November 25^th. Those taking part will gather at the gates of Stonewall Jackson Cemetery at 5:15 p.m. with lighted candles and song sheets. As the procession moves down Main Street, many downtown businesses will illuminate their holiday windows. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, in a horse drawn carriage, will lead the processional to Hopkins Green where Lexington Mayor Mimi Elrod will greet them and light the Community Christmas Tree, officially ushering in the holiday season.

The Christmas Parade takes place Friday, December 2. The theme is “A Miracle on Main”. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at Main and Houston Street. Fire and rescue departments will lead the parade, which will feature VMI cadets, bands, floats, horses and the Grinch.

Lexington’s annual WOW (Wide Open Weekend) will take place that same weekend, December 2-4, as downtown merchants offer holiday refreshments, extended store hours and in-store promotions and specials.