Village celebrates Christmas past
By Wendy McCardle Zook, wzook@altoonamirror.comArticle Photos
BEDFORD - With snow-lined paths and glistening white trees, Old Bedford Village was a flurry of activity Saturday with the hustle and bustle of Christmases past.
The annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration began Saturday at the village, with re-enactors sharing the traditions and customs of the holidays from 200 years ago.
"I think Old Bedford Village is a magical place for so many visitors," Executive Director Roger Kirwin said. "It's a tradition with many families to come together for our Christmas programs. You should get lots of different interpretations of how our ancestors celebrated Christmas. It's very interesting."
So many re-enactors were interested in taking part in the celebration that all of the buildings in the village were occupied for the first time. Re-enactors came from as far away as the Carolinas this year, Kirwin said.
"I'm just so glad the village is here," said re-enactor Brenda Geary from Potters Mills, Centre County. She was sitting in a building aglow with her friends and family gathered around the fireplace, brewing cider and playing parlor games from the 1860s.
"This is a good way for us all to get together.
Geary has been re-enacting for 12 years, although this was her first year performing at the village.
Geary's 11-year-old son, Nathaniel, said he enjoyed seeing everybody, singing Christmas carols and, he added with a smile, playing in the snow.
Elsewhere in the village, the 46th PA Regiment band performed instrumental selections in the chapel as visitors passed by lanterns lining the roads and paths. Another building featured a group of re-enactors creating homemade tree decorations using cranberries and other natural products. The general store smelled of pine while the candlemaker's space was filled with the scent of bayberry.
Rose Karichko of Pittsburgh was visiting the area for the first time with family and friends.
"It's really nice," she said from a Victorian-era house decked out with fine china. "I'm really enjoying it. It's done so nice."
Donna Hollis of Johnstown was visiting the village with her husband for the third year in a row.
"I love Old Bedford Village," she said. "Everything. Especially the cookies."
Lisa Hugendubler of Chambersburg traveled to Bedford with her husband, Rick, and son Jonathan. She said her favorite part was the cookies for sale in the bakery.
The family travels about 90 minutes for the holiday celebration every year.
"It's the authentic Christmas feeling," Rick said.
"The volunteers really add a lot," Lisa said. "They bring it to life."
Another Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday with a Christmas representing colonial times.
Admission is $8 for adults, free for children 6 and younger.
The village is located off Old Route 220 near the Turnpike exit of Interstate 99. For more information, call 623-1156 or visit www.oldbedfordvillage.com.
