This Saturday the 24th annual Mount Airy Restoration Foundation Christmas Holiday Tour of Homes begins and having been on tours in the past, I have to say that this year’s event is not to be missed.

I went to each individual home to take pictures and write a summary about each one, so I have gotten a little sneak peak in advance.

This year there are eight private homes and one church on the tour in addition to the Gertrude Smith House and the William Alfred Moore House, the oldest residence in Mount Airy. The Moore House, which is the reason for the tour, has been lovingly restored and kept up by the Mount Airy Restoration Foundation. All of the money raised on the tour goes toward paying the bills and the upkeep of the local treasure.

Last year I invited my co-workers, who had never been on the tour, to come by my house for some refreshments before heading out on the tour. We had a great time being able to spend time together outside the office and the tour of homes is a fun thing to do with a group.

There have been times in years past when I went alone and that’s fun, too.

What I like about the tour is that you get to see inside homes that you wouldn’t ordinarily get to see inside. Last year I was especially excited because two of the homes were near my house and I wanted to see the inside. They looked especially beautiful decorated for Christmas.

That’s another good reason to go on the tour, to get decorating ideas for your own home. This year I can’t say I have a favorite home, they are all so beautiful, but I do think special points of interest would have to be a stop at the Globe Tobacco Lofts to see the homes of Rodney Gwynn and Dustin Bledsoe. These two gentlemen have done extraordinary jobs in decorating their lofts.

Not only that, Mr. Bledsoe took the time to show me the common area of the lofts, and there is nothing common about it. The room, which is available to anyone who lives there for gatherings, is an amazing space. I would have to say the same about other common areas of the lofts that it is clear that an interior decorator picked out all of the furnishings, rugs and art for the old Tobacco warehouse that has 43 units. Even the outside of the building shines with a neatly kept courtyard. I also loved the library space, the workout rooms and the computer room that is available to those who do not own a personal computer.

All of the homes on the tour this year are equally impressive. And what’s more impressive is that these folks have agreed to give up a weekend of their time to let strangers tour their homes, all in the name of preserving a piece of the past.

I know there is a lot going on this weekend with Christmas parades going in Mount Airy, Dobson and Pilot Mountain, but for a mere $10 you can see some spectacular homes and have a good time while you’re doing it.

Mondee Tilley is a staff reporter with The Mount Airy News. She can be reached at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.