Holiday Tour of Homes is back with a new twist

ASHEBORO — The Holiday Tour of Homes is back after a year’s absence. But with a limited time to prepare, organizers had originally chosen to wait another year.

Jen Parrish, since August the director of fund development and community engagement of the Randolph County Family Crisis Center, said that when she took her job there were discussions about how to raise funds.

“Several people said they missed the Holiday Tour of Homes,” Parrish said. “But it was too late in September and October” to recruit homeowners to decorate their homes for the public.

Then, she said, Realtor Tyler McLeod came up with the idea to use homes that are currently on the market. The good thing, Parrish said, is that the sellers are already prepared for the public to look at the homes they want to sell.

“It seemed like a good idea to have realtors involved,” she said. “We reached out to realtors and all but one of our Holiday Tour of Homes are on the market.”

The theme for this year’s tour is “It takes a village.”

The one site not for sale or rent is Emmy’s House at 235 E. Academy St., Asheboro, the FCC’s children’s advocacy center. 

“The idea is to let people know of the work we do,” Parrish said. “They always decorate for the kids. The theme this year is Harry Potter,” which “highlights the idea that bravery and kindness can change the world, no matter one’s circumstances. 

“By experiencing a Harry Potter Christmas, children are gently encouraged to see themselves as heroes of their own stories, capable of facing challenges with hope and courage. It’s more than a festive decoration. It’s a reminder that magic, light and love exist, even in the darkest of times.”

The other homes, all in the Asheboro vicinity, are located at 

— 1259 Oakmont Drive.

— 2579 Grey Rabbit Run.

— 2455 Scott Mountain Road.

— 135 Dixon St.

The Williamsburg-style home on Oakmont Drive is sponsored by The Wilhoit Group. It was built in 1970 but has undergone a total transformation in 2023-24. Its standout feature is a breathtaking view of the Uwharrie Mountains.

Adding variety to the tour is the Cape Cod-style home on Grey Rabbit Run, sponsored by McLeod of Elite Pro Properties. Rather than the mountains, this home overlooks the 11th hole of the picturesque Tot Hill Farms golf course.

The contemporary home on Scott Mountain Road boasts a classic Better Homes & Gardens floor plan. The current owners have transformed it into a “dreamy” Airbnb retreat for visitors to the county, naming it Starry Nights Retreat.

Last but not least is the former home of the late Lane Ragsdale on Dixon Street, sponsored by TKB Realty. Since Ragsdale’s death and the sale of the property, Malcolm and Wanda Voncannon have worked tirelessly to remodel the home with care to preserve its charm.

Parrish said the hope for future Holiday Tour of Homes is to expand outside Asheboro. “We would like to go in other parts of the county,” she said. “We serve the entire county.”

Parrish added, “We so grateful to everyone who helped make this event possible. Whether you sponsored, donated, volunteered or bought a ticket, your support means the world to us. 

"’It takes a village’ isn’t just a theme — it’s the heart of everything we do. Thanks to you, we can continue helping children and families affected by abuse and trauma. Together, we’re making a real difference. Thank you for being part of our village.”

This year’s tour is Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1-6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 at:

— Burge Flower Shop, 625 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro.

— Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St., Asheboro.

— Picket Fence Interiors & Gifts, 323 NC 49 South, Suite C, Asheboro. 

Or, visit www.randolphfcc.org and wait for the special page to pop up to purchase tickets online.

Tickets bought the day of the event are $25. 

Money collected helps fund Emmy’s House, the emergency women’s shelter, advocacy, and help and healing to children and families in need.

Previous to the Family Crisis Center becoming the organizers of the Holiday Tour of Homes, Hospice of Randolph County ran the event. For several years, the Randolph County Volunteer Center recruited homes for the tour.

Other sponsors of the Holiday Tour of Homes are Village Printing, Chole Brewer with Integrity Mortgage, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Brightside Gallery, Burge Flower Shop, Picket Fence Interiors & Gifts, Randolph County Arts Guild, Summer House Designs and Sunset Avenue Church of God.