Washington Post Going Out GuideStreet Smart: What to Do in Rappahannock County

A big thank you to the Washington Post for including our shop & gallery in their Jan. 16, 2015 Going Out Guide: Street Smart - What to Do in Rappahannock County ~

R.H. Ballard

307 Main St., Washington, Va.

With elegant china, silverware and glassware collections, R.H. Ballard provides the makings for an inspired dinner table. The shop highlights owners Robert and Joanie Ballard's Francophile tastes with goods such as Napoleonic bee glasses and French finishing salt. One facet doesn't stray too far from Virginia, though: The downstairs art gallery features works from local artists.

Twilight in Little Washington

I was standing outside in front of our shop & gallery recently and snapped this picture.  I love twilight in December, especially here. With unseasonably warm weather throughout the month we often had our door open during the day. As I write this, the temperature is now in the 20's and it now feels like winter in Virginia.

As 2011 comes to a close and a New Year begins, good feelings and memories come forward. As any small business owner will tell you it has been a rough road these past two years, but things are looking up.  This year we added several new artists to our gallery representation and more European products to the shop mix.  We organized benefits, several shop events and an Art Tour, and basically worked our little tails off to make the year enjoyable and fun for us and our clientele. It is a labor of love.

To all of our wonderful customers throughout the United States, to our talented artists, fabulous suppliers, loving neighbors, blog-followers, and to all fellow small-business-owners in Rappahannock, we wish each one of you a joyful, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Big Parade in Little Washington

Chef Patrick O'Connell from the Inn at Little Washington rides in the Town Council car during the "Christmas in Little Washington" Parade.

 It was an amazing, warm, clear-skies day in Little Washington, VA.  Shop doors were wide open, tons of kiddies were treated to holiday sweets and goodies, and each child received a toy from Santa. The two Artisan Markets were jammed with holiday shoppers and Ben "Cooter" Jones' Garage Band rocked out in Stoneyman Square.

If you've never been to our small town parade you don't know what you are missing. It was the biggest yet for a 2-street town, with over 40 parade participant organizations. The small-town feel is wonderful, personal and warm. It's been likened to a Currier and Ives portrait, and that is pretty accurate. I look forward to it every year.

For our shop and gallery this is one of the busiest shopping days of the year so we were ready. We were also hosting a fabulous benefit for the Rappahannock High School Band, which was very well attended and which raised much need funds for the band.  We are in a "tiny" town (pop. 175), so when a few hundred people descend upon us we really notice.

Here are some images I took of this festive day.  

Camels were actually on parade for the first time. A camel on Main street was a sight to see.

Dr. Seuss' character Cindy Lou Who from Whoville

The Soap Box Derby Float with Rudolf was the biggest one yet.

Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in a Horse Drawn Carriage

Beautifully decorated Horses and Riders

US Army Fife and Drum Corp.

Rappahannock High School Panther Band

Bagpipers

Mysterious Horse Rider on Main Street

Brian Noyes from Red Truck Bakery

Dwight MacNeil from Red Truck Bakery handed out some delicious brownies to the crowd.

Grand Marshall COL. John R. Bourgeois

A Pink Smiling Piggy

Rappahannock High School Student Conductor keeping the band on time in front of our shop.

Big Smokey the Bear rode on top of the Washington Fire Dept. truck.

Anne Robertson played one of Santa's helpers during the day's festivities.

ABC Newsman Gordon Peterson rode in Ben "Cooter" Jones famous GENERAL LEE.