MURFREESBORO – The tradition continues.

Come to Murfreesboro on Dec. 8-9 to take part in a celebration that covers 20 years as the town’s Historical Association hosts its traditional Candlelight Christmas Tour.

The 2005 tour, which runs from 4-8:30 p.m. each day, features a traditional North Carolina Christmas. Organizers have added all the trimmings to portray each section of the state through its unique cuisine, handmade crafts, unsurpassed scenery and lively music.

This event is a progressive dinner embellished with delicious North Carolina specialties, including smoked turkey, country ham, seafood bisque, holiday breads and homemade desserts.

Ticket-holders will be taken on a tour that includes numerous stops in Murfreesboro’s 12-block National Register Historic District. Those stops include the following:

Roberts Vaughan House (ca 1790).

Chowan College campus (ca 1850’s).

Pipkin-Harrell-Chitty House (ca 1825).

Murfree-Smith Law Office/Historic Gift Shop (ca 1800).

Agriculture and Transportation Building; The Village Print Shop (ca 1890).

William Rea Museum (ca 1790).

Evans Tinsmith Shop; Vincent-Deale Blacksmith Shop; Winborne Country Store (ca 1870).

John Wheeler House (ca 1814).

Morgan-Myrick House (ca 1810).

Murfree Center.

Hertford Academy (ca 1811).

Candlelight Christmas in Murfreesboro is filled with sights, fragrances and the joyful sounds of the holidays.

The state’s mountain region is famous for being the nation’s leading producer of Christmas trees. Come see one of these Tar Heel trees decorated with twinkling lights and hundreds of hand-crocheted snowflakes.

To emphasize North Carolina’s famous hospitality, all guests will receive handmade ornaments/goodies along the route of the tour.

From the lonesome sounds of an Appalachian fiddle to the grandeur of a full symphony orchestra, music is woven into life of the Old North State. Toe-tapping mountain music will fill the air as dulcimer and fiddle players perform traditional Carolina ballads at the Blacksmith Shop.

Along the candlelit paths, carolers will lift their voices in joyful song. Meanwhile, the sounds of clarinet, harmonica, hand bells and keyboard may also be heard.

Candlelight Christmas in Murfreesboro has become a seasonable tradition. Each year, more than 100 volunteers help to spread Christmas cheer.

Included in the ticket price is a horse-drawn wagon ride or patrons can travel in a decorated tram from stop to stop.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $7 for children. Youngsters ages five and under are admitted free of charge.

All tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting the Murfreesboro Historical Association at 252-398-5922.