By Lance Gaither

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

To celebrate the holidays, Plaid Elephant Books, Destination Danville and the Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce partnered with local artist Brandon Long for a holiday mural on display along main street.

“If you are driving by it doesn’t look like a terribly big piece of art,” Long said. “To paint and actually walk alongside it down the sidewalk it looks like a very large piece.”

The mural features many of Danville’s historic locations: the Ephraim McDowell House, Constitution Square, Boyle County Courthouse, Trinity Episcopal Church, Second Presbyterian Church and Old Centre.

Long graduated from Georgetown College in 2001 with a degree in fine arts. Throughout his career, he has taught art for students and adults. He has previously served as the Visual Arts Director at the Art Center of the Bluegrass.

The mural isn’t the only way Danville is getting into the holiday spirit. On Dec. 2, Danville’s Small Town Christmas celebrations begin at noon at Weisiger Park. There will be a day of live music and train rides followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.

On Dec. 9, the second day of celebrations begin at noon with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookies and cocoa, live music and crafts. The Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. All Small Town Christmas events are free to the public.