Ready to star in your own holiday film? Cue the snowfall and twinkling lights — your screen-worthy holiday story awaits! Live out your Hallmark movie dreams this December with Farmville’s picture-perfect Christmas getaway.
Each December, our little town transforms into a winter wonderland straight out of your favorite Hallmark film. Our streets come alive with garlands, our shops dress in their holiday best, and a Norway spruce twinkles day and night in our town plaza. As Christmas draws nearer, we’re ready to welcome you with a cup of hot cocoa, a final burst of Christmas shopping and a cozy weekend that could only be crafted in Farmville!
Enter our Hallmark Holiday Giveaway for your chance to star in your own Christmas classic! Our lucky winner will enjoy an overnight stay package on Saturday, December 16 — plus lunch and dinner; $200 worth of gift cards to use as you check off your Christmas lists; movie tickets; and lots of other donated goodies from our local small businesses!
The contest will open November 21 and run through December 5, and we’ll choose a winner on December 6, 2023. Read on to find out more about how you can claim your chance at a holiday straight out of the movies — and a Farmville Christmas to remember!
CONTEST CLOSED
Scene 1: A Warm Welcome
Photo Credit: Holiday Inn Express
Check in to Christmas cheer at the cozy Holiday Inn Express & Suites, just minutes from downtown. A surprise awaits in your room — a hand-selected basket of local gifts from the Sassy Sisters! (Just a teaser of the hometown warmth you’ll find in Farmville.) Throughout your stay, enjoy speedy Wi-Fi, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center and complimentary coffee and tea. Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to begin your Hallmark Holiday Adventure. Grab your gift cards and head downtown!
Scene 2: Unwrap Small-Town Charm
Photo Credit: Amish Originals
With your $100 gift card in hand, start your shopping expedition at Amish Originals where holiday magic is handcrafted and heartfelt. Discover delicious preserves, syrups and canned goods; holiday decor; and high-quality Amish furniture for both indoor and outdoor settings — plus custom options. Find something you love? Indulge with a present for yourself! Or perhaps you’ll uncover a one-of-a-kind gift that’s destined for that special someone — and tick another name off your Christmas shopping list!
Scene 3: Gifts of Understanding
Photo Credit: Robert Russa Moton Museum
Amidst the yuletide joy, take a pause for seasonal reflection with a visit to Farmville’s very own National Historic Landmark, the Robert Russa Moton Museum, open until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. This museum is a must-see during any visit to our little town, as you unwrap the story of America’s student-led civil rights movement and historical threads that weave through Farmville. Exhibits tell the story of Barbara Johns, a 16-year-old girl whose actions sparked a local student strike demanding civil rights in education and eventually leading to the pivotal Brown v. Board of Education decision. In 2024, a brand new statue of Barbara Johns will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection representing the state of Virginia.
Take some time to pay a holiday homage to Farmville’s civil rights heroes. Then stop by the museum shop where you’ll discover plenty of stocking stuffers for the kids, tweens and teens in your life (as well as the adults!), with books, toys, games, jewelry and more.
Scene 4: Savor Festive Flavors
Photo Credit: The Fishin’ Pig
Ready for festive flavors? Grab your $25 gift card and head to The Fishin’ Pig, a local favorite where the charm of Farmville meets the best of surf ‘n’ turf. You’ll find savory smoked meats and flavorful, fresh seafood, as well as Shorty’s famous breading. Start your meal off with popular apps like Brittany’s fried green tomatoes or the puppy basket served with homemade honey butter. Then try a Fishin’ Pig favorite like Shorty’s Fish Basket or Grady’s Smoke Shack Sampler. Your food will come out hot with plenty of southern sides like fresh homemade slaw, jalapeño cornbread, collards and kettle chips. Not feeling the fried foods? Fishin’ Pig offers plenty of lighter fare like the jack rabbit garden salad, topped with your choice of tuna, shrimp or chicken.
Scene 5: Capture that Hallmark Moment
Photo Credit: Downtown Farmville
After dinner, head downtown to see the glow of Christmas lights in our town plaza (which also happens to be where Main Street and the High Bridge Trail meet)! Our twinkling tree offers a shimmering backdrop to capture your Hallmark holiday moment. Share your selfies with us by using #FarmvilleHallmarkHoliday. Then grab your two movie tickets for Sunchase Cinema 8 and immerse yourself in the magic of the silver screen — on us of course! Choose your genre: a light-hearted rom-com, a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat or a whimsical trip to the world of Willy Wonka. It’s the perfect way to end a magical day in our little town!
Scene 6: A Sunday Shopping Spree
Photo Credit: Antiques on North Main
On Sunday morning after checking out of your hotel, head downtown to enjoy some small-town Christmas shopping. Start with the Hangover Market at Three Roads Brewing, which runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend. The market features local vendors with handmade gifts, soaps, lotions and jewelry, as well as fresh coffee and baked goods. Then grab your $100 gift card and head on a treasure hunt at Antiques on North Main, a quaint antique shop with authentic furniture, historic decor and art with stories to tell.
All that holiday shopping building up an appetite? Stop by Macado’s for lunch, and don’t forget your $20 gift card! Grab an appetizer of fried pickles (or Irish nachos) while you explore the menu. From burgers to overstuffed sandwiches to salads, we’re sure you’ll find something that satisfies.
Scene 7: A Hallmark Ending
Photo Credit: Kathryn Jefferson
As the final scene of your Hallmark holiday experience unfolds, don’t miss the chance to capture the moment. Wrap up in your hat and scarf and stop by the downtown LOVEworks sign for a final photo to remember your adventure. Share your storybook moment with us using #VisitFarmville, #LOVEVA and #FarmvilleHallmarkHoliday. Then head on home, reinvigorated with Hallmark holiday magic!