Here’s how to have a real old-fashioned Christmas
Historic Washington State Park hosts its 32nd annual Christmas and Candlelight event this Saturday and the following Saturday, Dec. 8. The park will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. days, but the staff suggests that visitors may want to come later in the afternoon to enjoy the thousands of luminaries and special music.
The 19th-century restoration village will be trimmed with decorations of that era, including natural handmade wreaths and swags. Evening programs and tours begin at 1 p.m., with lighting of the luminaries taking place at dark, and music from groups and choirs starting at 5 p.m.
Some of the performances are concurrent; the schedule is below.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children (6 -12) plus tax.
Horse drawn surrey rides are available and William’s Tavern Restaurant will be serving up Christmas lunch and dinner buffets for diners.
Washington was an important stop on the Southwest Trail for pioneers traveling to Texas, and was Confederate Capital of Arkansas from 1863-1865. The park is about eight miles off I 30 from Hope, Ark. For more information call 870-983-2684, or go online to HistoricWashington@Arkansas.com.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
WPA Gym
5—5:30 p.m. Measure of Grace Band—Springhill, Ark.
5:45 p.m.—6:15 p.m. Measure of Grace Band—Springhill, Ark.
6:30 p.m.—7 p.m. Nighthawk Band—Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m.—8 p.m. Nighthawk Band—Hope, Ark.
Royston House
5 p.m. — 8 p.m. Brenda Westerbuhr, violinist—Washington, Ark. Washington Methodist Church 5 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Peggy Williams, pianist—Hope, Ark.
5:45 p.m.—6:15 p.m. First Methodist Church Choir—Nashville, Ark.
6:30 p.m.—7 p.m. Shelly Keith—
Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m.—8 p.m. Hempstead County Melody Boys—Hope, Ark.
Washington Presbyterian Church
5 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Jacque Ford, soloist—Washington, Ark.
5:45 p.m.—6:15 p.m. Elizabeth & Kathie Woll Singers—Blevins, Ark.
6:30 p.m.—7 p.m. Cornerstone First Baptist Church Choir—Hope, Ark.
7:15 p.m.– 8 p.m. Roz Thompson, pianist—Washington, Ark. Williams Tavern Restaurant
5 p.m. — 6:15 p.m. Jerome Underwood and Friends—Hope, Ark.
1874 Courthouse
5 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Sarah Langston, violinist—Emmett, Ark.
5:45 p.m.—6:15 p.m. Her Legacy— Hope, Ark.
6:30—7 p.m. TBA
7:15—8 p.m. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” reading & Father Christmas