Celebrate a Victorian Christmas at Landmark Park

Landmark Park has put a special welcome mat out, and the public is invited to attend the facility’s 30th Annual Victorian Christmas. The event is set for Sunday, December 13, from 1-4 p.m.

The admission fee to the park has been waived for this event. However, park officials ask that visitors bring some non-perishable food items, which will be collected and given to the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank.

The Victorian Christmas at Landmark Park dates back to December 1979. It has grown into one of the park’s most popular events.

“The Victorian Christmas was actually our first event here at the park,” said William Holman, executive director. “We opened the Waddell Farm House to the public in December 1979. It became a tradition from that point on.”

Holman says the event is the park’s way of giving back to the community.

“It’s our chance to say thank you to the community,” Holman said. “We waive all admission fees. The public can come out and enjoy the park. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season.”

It also serves as an opportunity for newcomers to visit the park.

“You would be surprised at how may people in this area have never visited the park,” Holman said. “The Victorian Christmas is a perfect time to come.”

And, says Holman, this event gives the community an opportunity to help others.

“For the last several years, we have partnered with the Food Bank,” Holman said. “We encourage people to bring non-perishable food items.”

Last year, 1,800 visitors attended the Victorian Christmas. Through their generosity, 1,714 pounds of food were collected for the Food Bank.

Holman noted it’s also the park’s way to salute the many volunteers who make such events happen.

“We’re thanking the community during this event,” Holman said, “but we’re also showing appreciation for all of our volunteers. We couldn’t do these events without our volunteers.”

Many of the park’s popular demonstrations, performed by volunteers, of early farm life will be on display. Included are wagon rides around the park’s grounds, cane grinding, syrup making and blacksmithing.

“All of the normal features of the park will be open, including The Barnyard (the park’s playground),” Holman said.

The “dessert sampler,“which will be held in the Waddell Farm House, has become a crowd favorite. Many holiday goodies will be displayed - and eaten (while supplies last).

“As part of the dessert sampler, we’re trying to collect old, family recipes,” Holman said. “We want to make sure some of the old traditions are kept. We invite people to bake and bring a dessert for the sampler. We also would like for them to share the family history of their recipes with us.”

Holman hopes the recipe collection will grow into something a bit bigger.

“We’re interested in forming a baking committee,” Holman added. “We’re looking for people willing to bake for an event like this.”

If interested in being a part of the baking committee, contact Landmark Park, 794-3452.

Other events scheduled for the Victorian Christmas include a church service led by Circuit-Riding Preacher Tim Faulk. This will be held in the Headland Presbyterian Church at the park at 2 p.m. This service will be preceded by a performance by Dean Bilot’s piano students at 1 p.m. They will perform again immediately following the service.

At 1:30 p.m., in The Gazebo, the Trinity Lutheran Church Hand Bell Choir will provide Christmas music for the public to enjoy.

Also in The Gazebo, at 2:15 p.m., the Do Sa Dos square-dancing group will perform.

At 1:30 and 2:45, in the auditorium in the Interpretive Center, Chef Michael Sigler will put his culinary skills on display during the ever-popular cooking demonstrations.

Planetarium shows will be held at 1 and 3 p.m. in the Interpretive Center.

In addition to the “dessert sampler,” the Waddell Farm House will also be the site of traditional dulcimer music and the opportunity to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

Sites for the popular farm demonstrations are: cane grinding at the Cane Mill, syrup making in the Syrup Shed, mulled cider in the Log Cabin, blacksmithing in the Blacksmith Shop and ornament making in the School House.

To assist the park in decorating for the Victorian Christmas, the facility will host a Christmas Decoration Workshop Shop Sunday, December 6, at 1 p.m. The public is invited to make home-made, old-fashioned ornaments and wreaths to decorate the park. Decorations to take home will also be made. The workshop is free, but registration is required. A snack and beverage will be provided for the attendees.

“For the workshop, we do ask that those attending bring their own gloves and needle-nose pliers,” Holman said. “The greenery will be supplied by Landmark Park.”

They can also bring other materials that can be used in ornament-making.

Holman noted the workshop will be held in the auditorium of the Interpretive Center.

“The workshop also serves as a reminder for people that Christmas on a farm was not all lights and glamour,” Holman added.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to fill some shopping lists as arts and craft vendors from throughout the area will set up shop on the park grounds.

Landmark Park will open at noon. The activities and demonstrations begin at 1 p.m.

For more information, call Landmark Park, 794-3452, or visit the park’s Web site, http://www.landmarkpark.com.