Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993                   TAG: 9311250496
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-16   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: Charles Stebbins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS TO TAKE PLACE IN SALEM

New to Salem, yes. But that's all.

"What I have done is taken ideas from a variety of places and put them together," he said.

But there is no denying that Ye Olde Salem Christmas celebration Dec. 4 is Robbins' idea.

Steve Edwards, president of the Salem Merchants Association, gives Robbins credit.

But Robbins is quick to bounce the credit to others.

"There is a lot of good support from people in the merchants' association and volunteers from other groups," he said. "Everybody has pitched in."

But Edwards and others said this type of Christmas celebration may not have come to Salem, had it not been for Robbins.

And Robbins admits maybe that is so.

"Well, I guess I gave it the impetus in Salem," he said.

But beyond that, he said he just picked up ideas, taking bits and pieces from various other celebrations that he knows about from around the country. But he said that most of the work of making the Salem event gel was done by others.

He especially credits volunteers from groups that are listed as co-sponsors, such as the Salem Kiwanis Club, the city of Salem, Salem Junior Woman's Club, Salem Merchants Association and WWWR radio station.

Regardless of where it all came from, Ye Olde Salem Christmas, a Community Gathering, will be held Dec. 4 from noon to about 5:30 p.m.

And with the Salem Christmas parade the evening before, Robbins is hoping this will become a festive holiday weekend.

The event has two main purposes, Robbins said.

One is to bring the community together in an old-fashioned noncommercial Christmas celebration.

Robbins said the Christmas celebration should not be thought of as competition for Old Salem Days. Everything at the Christmas celebration will be free.

"I don't want it to be commercial," Robbins said. "I want it to be a family gathering."

The second purpose is that everyone will be asked to donate to the Community Christmas Store, which is aimed at making Christmas brighter for needy families.

The store will be open Dec. 3 and 4 at Spartan Square in Salem and will be stocked with clothing, toys and nonperishable food. Approximately 250 needy families, who must be cleared through social service agencies, will be eligible to shop in the store.

The Christmas celebration will take place at several spots in Salem: Library Square and Market Square in downtown Salem, Spartan Square and Lakeside Plaza. A big finale with a huge choir and a burning yule log will be at Longwood Park.

The event will include free horse-drawn carriage rides, children's games and storytelling, refreshments and, of course, Santa.

Music and entertainment will be provided by chorale and brass groups from Salem High School, the Virginia Highlands Pipes & Drums, folk musicians, dance troupes and church choirs.