ROANOKE, Va—
Dickens of a Christmas is just days away in downtown Roanoke.
Thousands are expected to attend. The kick-off is the tree lighting ceremony near the Hotel Roanoke walkway on Salem Avenue. It takes place just after six o'clock.
Afterwards, many will venture inside the City Market Building. For many, this will be the first time they'll see the renovated Market Building. It re-opened Labor Day weekend but there were only a few food vendors. Currently, there are six.
Bayou Snowballs opened its doors last weekend. Owner Crystal Ware is preparing for huge crowds. "I'm mentally prepared. I'm always up for a challenge. I think the more the merrier," said Ware.
The City Market Building will stay open a hour later during Dickens, until ten o'clock.
Many of the vendors are bringing in extra staff and are offering specials.
Queso Southwestern Grill is having a children's menu and three special soups. Queso is also giving away hot apple butter cider. It will also have free hot chocolate with any purchase.
Owner Dan Mock told News 7, "I can see this as a really big event for us, to show what we can do, show off our talents, show off the new market building."
Some of the Dickens activities will take place on the mezzanine inside the market building. Santa Claus will also make an appearance.
The hope is visitors will be so happy with their experience inside the City Market Building, they'll keep coming back for more.
Sara Guerry is the City Market Building Manager. She told News 7, "We definitely want returns. We want regulars. We want folks to make this a destination in downtown. We want folks to come out on the weekend and say I'm going to the market building."
Dickens of a Christmas takes place each Friday night from now until Christmas. Next week is the Christmas parade.
