By Tara Bitzan, executive director, Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

It's exciting to see how Christmas activities have grown to new heights in Alexandria over the past few years.

Alexandria has long been known for its traditional kick off to Christmas the day after Thanksgiving with the Christmas in the Fort event at the Runestone Museum and official lighting of downtown Broadway.

In more recent years, the Legacy of the Lakes Museum along with other "north end" businesses joined efforts with the Runestone Museum to enhance and grow the event.

Four years ago, the volunteer group Friends of Christmas formed to build upon that tradition by organizing the Light Up Broadway Holiday Light Parade. The following year that same group started the Garden of Lights Walking Light Tour at

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