Journey’s End

Journey’s End

December 18 | Downtown Bristol

December 17, 2018 (Bristol TN/VA) – On Tuesday, December 18th at 6:00 PM, Journey’s End will again 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 Lydia McCraw and Joseph will be Nick Meredith. Along the way choirs from Redeemer Lutheran Church will be at Shanghai; Central Presbyterian Church at Cameo Theatre; Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Stateline Bar & Grille; State Street United Methodist at Cranberry Lane; Theatre Bristol at the former Wells Fargo, and First Presbyterian Church at The Paramount Center for the Arts.  Joseph and Mary will be escorted by Prince and Lucky from 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 Aramark of King University.  There will be no street closure for this event, but traffic will be slowed by a rolling police barricade.

A special thank you to the Cities of Bristol, Dr. Frank and Rev. Ann Aichinger, Pete Buhls, Robert Campbelle, Marcia Cooper, Dr. Pat Flannagan, Samantha Gray, Robert Greene, Rev. Grace Kim, Lydia McCraw, David and Debbie McLeish of Dreamland Alpacas, Nick Meredith, Paramount Bristol, Lea Powers, Bryan Underwood, Rev Sam Weddington, Chris & Stephanie Yoder, and primary event sponsors for the evening is Believe in Bristol for providing luminaries and helping hands.

Be sure to stick around after Journey’s End for Bristol Virginia Senior Showchoir’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.