25th Annual Journey’s End

On Tuesday, December 17th at 6:00 PM, Journey’s End will take place in Historic Downtown Bristol!  Journey’s End is Bristol’s local interpretation of the Latino tradition of Las Posadas (The Inns). Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem is recreated as they go from inn to inn seeking lodging and the final inn welcomes them in and celebrates their arrival.

How does Bristol Celebrate Journey’s End?

Our inns are several downtown businesses and our innkeepers are various choirs and choral groups from the Bristol area. We will begin at the Downtown Center then process by candlelight with Mary and Joseph singing the traditional songs and various carols accompanied by instrumentalists.

This year Mary will be played by Jillian McCraw and Joseph will be Rourke Gearing. Along the way choirs from Highlands Youth Ensemble will be at Shanghai; Central Presbyterian Church at Cameo Theatre; Theatre Bristol at Stateline Bar & Grille; State Street United Methodist Church at Cranberry Lane; Marla Edwards and Friends Choral Group at French Magnolia, and First Presbyterian Church at The Paramount Center for the Arts. Joseph and Mary will be escorted by Dreamland Alpacas (Please, no dogs in attendance as we do not want to scare the live animals).

Afterwards a small reception will be held at The Paramount Center for the Arts with refreshments provided by King University and Metz Food Service as well as Bristol Bagel & Bakery. There will be no street closure for this event, and event participants are to remain on the sidewalk for the duration of the event.

A special thank you to the Cities of Bristol, Rev. Ann Aichinger, Pete Buhls, Robert Campbelle, Marla Edwards, Dr. Pat Flannagan, Robert Greene, Casey Irwin, David and Debbie McLeish of Dreamland Alpacas, Paramount Bristol, Jane Morison, Matthew Potterton, Sullins Academy and teacher Zamantha Goldsmith, Theatre Bristol, Metz Food Service at King University for providing cookies, Bristol Bagel & Bakery for providing hot chocolate, and primary event sponsor for the evening, Believe in Bristol, for providing luminaries and helping hands.

Be sure to stick around after Journey’s End for Bristol Virginia Senior Show Choir’s annual Christmas Show, a beloved holiday tradition at The Paramount. This year’s show features holiday magic and pageantry along with familiar songs of the season.

Journey’s End lasts a little more than an hour. Restaurants will be taking dinner reservations and several of the downtown shops will be open.  Come and celebrate Christmas in the heart of our community!

Please visit believeinbristol.org or call 423-573-2201 for more information.