Yuletide at Storrowton

"YULETIDE AT STORROWTON," DEC. 5 & 6
Eastern States Exposition's Gift to the Community
See Complete Information Below

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass. -- November 13, 2009

More Info:  (413) 205-5041
Info Line: (413) 205-5115

"YULETIDE AT STORROWTON," DEC. 5 & 6
Eastern States Exposition's Gift to the Community

Eastern States Exposition's Storrowton Village Museum will present "Yuletide at Storrowton," Saturday and Sunday, December 5 & 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free winter holiday festival is a chance for the community to come together to enjoy traditional Yuletide activities and celebrations for the entire family as well as musical presentations, entertainment and shopping, all in the historic Village in West Springfield, Mass.

Decorated through the generosity of area garden clubs, florists and designers, the Village is brimming with innovative and original ideas to make your house a holiday home. Walk through the buildings to find wreaths, swags, garlands, fresh evergreens and all natural materials dripping from every imaginable nook and cranny.

The Master Gardeners of Storrowton will oversee the decorating project, and participating clubs and florists include: the Agawam, East Longmeadow, Hampden and West Springfield Garden Clubs; the Garden Club of the Westfield Women's Club; Grandmother's Garden of Westfield; Floral Concepts by Tom; Flowers by Webster; Merry Mite Gardens of Suffield, Conn.; Bloomin' Bunch; Anthony Gladu of West Springfield; the Eastern States Exposition Landscape department; and Fruit Boards by Pat Byrne. Storrowton Village volunteers will serve as costumed guides for the event.

Performances in the Village's Meetinghouse will fill visitors with holiday cheer:
Alice Moore Golden Bell Ringers - Saturday at 11 a.m.
Members of the West Springfield High School Band, conducted by Bill Carr - Saturday at noon
"Full Gael" Celtic inspired music - Saturday at 1 p.m.
Barbara Bennet Organ Recital - Saturday at 2 p.m.
Pioneer Valley Fiddlers - Sunday at 1 p.m.
Paul Kaplan seasonal songs with a winter's theme - Sunday at 2 p.m.

Additional Yuletide features throughout the Village include:
"Over the River and Through the Woods: Sleighs in New England," by Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village Museum (lecture) - Saturday & Sunday at 3 p.m.
Sheep dog demonstrations - Saturday & Sunday on the Village Green
Ice Sculpting Demonstrations - Saturday, noon - 3 p.m.
Jerry Marchand plays the Celtic Harp - Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blacksmithing, fireplace cooking, quilting and spinning - demonstrated daily
Farm Animals - daily on the Village Green
19th Century Crafts: Broom making, Tinsmith, Hatter, Windsor chair maker - in the Red Barn
Visit with a Victorian Santa - the Christmas Shop in Potter Mansion
Caroling and lighting ceremony- daily at 4 p.m. on the Gazebo

Hot and cold beverages as well as baked goodies will be available in the Holiday Sweet Shoppe in Potter Mansion. Proceeds will benefit the educational programs at Storrowton Village Museum. Goodies will be baked and served by Storrowton volunteers and staff and include cookies, holiday and specialty breads, muffins and hearty home-baked beans. Holiday gifts, decorations and Yankee Candles will be sold at the Storrowton Village Gift Shop in the Phillips House, and the Christmas Shop in Potter Mansion features ornaments and collectibles during the event. All shops are open during all Yuletide events. Additional hours for the Storrowton Village Gift Shop are: Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tours also take place during Yuletide week and admission is $5 per person, children under 6 free:
Yuletide Open House Tours - Monday, Dec. 7 - Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Yuletide Lantern Light Tours - Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

All activities are weather permitting. For more information, call the village at (413) 205-5051, the Info Line at 413-205-5115 or visit us at www.TheBigE.com.

Storrowton Village Museum, an educational arm of Eastern States Exposition, presents hands-on school programs and guided tours of its historic buildings throughout the year as well as seasonal 19th century-themed events. It is the site of Storrowton Tavern/Carriage House and Storrowton Village Museum Gift Shop and is a picturesque, popular site for weddings held in its Meetinghouse and Gazebo. 
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