End: Sunday, December 10, 2023 - 04:30 pm Categories:
Join us this holiday season for a festive party like you have never seen before!
"Victorian Christmas: A Yuletide Social" takes you back to 1875 where you can experience what the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas were in the frontier Army. Our team and period reenactors in military and civilian dress will be on hand to educate and entertain the public through historic presentations, games, carols, period food and beverages, historic firearm demonstrations, gift & decoration making, and more!
This special event will be held inside the Commissary next to Cavalry Square on Sunday, December 10 from 12-4:30 pm. All ages are welcome to attend; we have something for everyone! Whether you stay for the whole event or stop in for a short while, you'll be sure to have a historic good time. Please see the official schedule below for a full list of event activities:
Victorian Christmas Schedule
12:00 PM - Calling On Neighbors
Reenactors will conduct a walk around the parade ground of the Cavalry Post, representing the common practice of calling upon one’s neighbors on Christmas.
12:30 PM -’Victorian Christmas’ Presentation
A talk on the history of Christmas on the western frontier will be conducted, examining various stories of celebrating the holiday in the American West.
1:15 PM - Firing Weapons
A demonstration outside the Commissary will be conducted on the firing of weapons in celebration of the holiday.
1:30 PM - Games
Period parlor games will be played by reenactors. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate or simply observe.
2:00 PM - Decorating the Tree
A station for making paper decorations will be available throughout the length of the event. Decorations that have been made either beforehand or by the public will be utilized to decorate a Christmas tree.
2:30 PM - Caroling
Popular Christmas carols for the period will be sung by reenactors. Lyrics sheets will be provided for those wishing to sing along.
3:30 PM - ‘Victorian Christmas’ Presentation
A talk on the history of Christmas on the western frontier will be conducted, examining various stories of celebrating the holiday in the American West.
4:15 PM - Firing Weapons
A demonstration outside the Commissary will be conducted on the firing of weapons in celebration of the holiday.
4:30 PM - Commissary Closes
Period Appropriate Food and Beverages will include:
-Coriander Cookies
-Sugar Cookies
-Mincemeat Pies
-Plum Pudding
-Eggnog
(hot chocolate, apple cider, and modern-day sugar cookies will also be available)
*Event location is wheelchair accessible.
**Dogs are not allowed inside the Commissary unless they are a registered service animal.
Event tickets are required to attend. Tickets will sell at $3 per person [children and adults]. Children under the age of 5 are free to attend. Tickets on sale only at the front entrance to the park. An annual or daily vehicle permit is required for park entrance and can be purchased online or at the entrance.
Really feeling the holiday spirit? Then stick around for the Light the Blockhouse Hike planned later on the same day from 5-7:30 pm!