By Elizabeth Wilkerson -- Daily Staff Writer

WOODSTOCK — Though some finishing touches will come later, a newly renovated Court Square will be ready to debut Friday night, Business Enhancement Coordinator Jane Beasley said Tuesday.

"Just standing there, looking at something you visualized and planned and dreamed of for ... seven years. ... It's really something to see it be a reality," Beasley said of Woodstock's $1.4-million downtown streetscape project.

This week, the project's contractor, General Excavation Inc., "will be working on the traffic signal bases ... and repaving the road," Beasley said. Crews will also be "finishing up the brick" and installing some of the historic markers and engraved bricks, she said.

Some "finishing touches," including the Swiss Guards that will be added to the arms of the new street lights, benches, the rest of the engraved bricks and new traffic signals, will be installed after Friday's celebration, she said.

As part of the project, some "stormwater issues" around the historic courthouse and Lawyer's Row have been corrected, Beasley said, and an extra fire hydrant has been added. A new, mostly brick plaza has been installed in front of the courthouse, some utility lines at the intersection have been put underground, and brick sidewalks have been added.

The town received grants through the Virginia Department of Transportation to fund about 80 percent of the $1.4-million project. The town will contribute the remaining 20 percent, about $288,750.

As for Friday, "it's going to be a festive evening," she said. The event, "Court Square 2008: A Time to Celebrate," will offer visitors a close-up look at the work that has taken place at the intersection this summer, according to a recent press release from the Woodstock Enhancement Committee.

Several food vendors will begin serving at 5:30 p.m., Beasley said, and the Woodstock Fire Department will host a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the fire hall. Brenda Bladen will play music from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., she said.

A dedication ceremony, which will culminate with the unveiling of a life-size statue of Peter Muhlenberg sculpted by Gary Casteel, will begin at 6:30 p.m., Beasley said. Enhancement committee Chairwoman Cindy Rinker will be master of ceremonies, she said, and Woodstock Mayor Bill Moyers, Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Ferguson and Casteel will also be on hand.

The evening will also include Central High School's marching band, Revolutionary War re-enactors and demonstrations by some Peter Muhlenberg Middle School students, she said, as well as a street dance, which will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on West Court Street and feature The Instigators.

During the event the Woodstock Museum, Wickham House and the courtroom of the historic courthouse will be open for visitors, she said, and walking tours of downtown will also be available.

"We want everyone to come out," Beasley said. "It is a time to celebrate."

* Contact Elizabeth Wilkerson at ewilkerson@nvdaily.com