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Victorian Celebration 2012
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Two years ago, we started the Victorian Celebration as a way to remind people that you didn’t have to go to a mall to do your Christmas shopping. There are lots of fabulous gifts in the small towns you drive through getting there.
Yes, we do things differently in Sharon Springs.
We encourage everyone who visits the village that day to dress as if they were in the Victorian era. Even a simple ruffled shirt and a bow tie can put you right into the spirit of things.
With all of the costumed people strolling Main Street exchanging pleasantries, it truly looks like a picture post-card from Sharon Springs’ turn-of-the-century heyday.
So drag out your top hats, your bow ties, your lace (and corsets if you dare) and join us on Dec 1 for a day of small town, friendly fun. (We’ve already got our costumes picked out!)
We guarantee you’ll leave with more friends than you came with.
For those of you with “nothing to wear”, at the Holiday Farmer’s Market in the old Roseboro Hotel we’ll be selling costume Victorian hats for men and women for a suggested donation of $10. Proceeds will be distributed to families in need this holiday season.
Click here to see some photos from last year’s festival.
Sharon Springs Victorian Holiday Celebration on Main Street
December 1, 2012
8:00-12:00
For those early risers, there’s Breakfast at the Firehouse (including real firemen!) $8.00 per person
9:30
Join us at the town post office at the top of Main Street. Meet our new Post Master and get something stamped with the commemorative cancellation stamp created just for the day. Note: any item you bring can receive the special cancellation stamp (pictured below) but the item must have a First-Class stamp affixed
While there, stop in at the NBT Bank next door and check out their display of items that Victorian-era residents of Sharon Springs would have taken out a loan to buy. You can also purchase your Hats Off to Hunger Victorian hat to wear throughout the day ($10)
10:00-10:30
Join our area servicemen for a dedication, reveille, and placing of a Christmas wreath at the Veteran’s Memorial in front of the Sharon Springs Central School
10:00-2:00
Author Cindy West will be at The American Hotel signing copies of her children’s book, Lily in the Box. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Schoharie County Animal Shelter
10:00-5:00
Holiday-themed Farmer’s Market in the grand dining room of the Roseboro Hotel. Check out how some of our finest local craftsmen interpret Christmas
- Kids and adults can tell our Victorian Santa exactly what they want for Christmas and get their holiday portrait taken by The Classic Image. You can get the photo immediately for $10 and proceeds go to benefit the Schoharie County Community Action Program providing holiday support to families still bouncing back from the devastation of Hurricane Irene. 11:00-3:00
- O’ Christmas Tree, O’ Christmas Tree. Hessian Hill Farm brings their Christmas Tree Farm to you! Freshly-cut trees of all sizes (all you have to do is drag it home!). You better believe there will be chestnuts roasting on an open fire
10:30-11:00
Get yourself into the holiday “spirits”. Join us at The American Hotel for a Bloody “Merry” toast to Queen Victoria and raise your glass to the third year of our celebration, $5 Mary’s!!
10:30 -11:00 Join local entertainers Jimmy and Bob on the porch of the Roseboro as they sing holiday music and welcome Santa to the holiday market
11:00-11:15
’twas the night before Christmas dance performance on the porch of the Roseboro featuring children from Sharon Springs and surrounding communities and Studio North Dance Studio
11:00am-12:00pm
Join our Town Historian in the grand salon of the Stone Mansion, the largest and most historic house in the village) for a traditional Victorian tea and a slide show presentation about Sharon Springs during the Victorian era. Space is limited. Tickets ($25) are available by clicking here. Proceeds go to continuing restoration of Chalybeate Park on Main Street.
12:00-12:15
ENCORE PERFORMANCE of ’twas the night before Christmas dance performance on the porch of the Roseboro featuring children from Sharon Springs and surrounding communities and Studio North Dance Studio
12:30-12:45
A new holiday classic! The humorous operetta, The Mistletoe Mustache, which debuted during our first Victorian Celebration, continues to entertain. Performed on the porch of The Roseboro, just outside the Holiday Farmer’s Market
1:00-2:00pm
The Schoharie County American Legion hosts an Oratorical Contest for kids in grades 9-12 at the Sharon Springs Central School auditorium
1:30-1:45
ENCORE PERFORMANCE of a new holiday classic! The humorous operetta, The Mistletoe Mustache, which debuted during our first Victorian Celebration continues to entertain. Performed on the porch of The Roseboro, just outside the Holiday Farmer’s Market
2:00-3:00
Join local author Jack Singer (“Justice at 40 Below”) as he tells tales of his adventures as a dog musher in Alaska with a slide show presentation. At Studio North on South Main Street. FREE
2:00-3:30
Join around the wood fire at The American Hotel as Austin Jetton and Garth Roberts sing Christmas Carols and Doug Plummer gives a recital of an “enhanced” version of The Sharon Springs Christmas Chicken Story
3:00-4:00
Join our Town Historian in the grand salon of the Stone Mansion, the largest and most historic house in the village) for a traditional Victorian tea and a slide show presentation about Sharon Springs during the Victorian era. Space is limited. Tickets ($25) are available by clicking here. Proceeds go to continuing restoration of Chalybeate Park on Main Street.
3:30-4:30
Studio North will teach all-comers how to participate in Victorian-era group dances!! If you are wearing Victorian finery, put it to good use!! FREE
4:00-6:00
Classical guitarist Harry George Pelligrin performs in the parlor of the New York House. Tickets for this wine and cheese event are available at the door for $10. Proceeds go toward the Sharon Springs Citizens’ Council of the Arts
4:30
Have you been practicing your Model Walk all year? Now’s the time to strut your stuff—Victorian Style. It’s the Best Victorian Costume Parade and Contest on the porch-cum-runway of 204 Main Street Bar & Bistro. One prize will be awarded to the best lady and best gent costume.
6:00-7:00
The Sharon Springs Rotary club invites you to their lighting of The Town Christmas Tree. Communal caroling, FREE hot chocolate and warm apple cider
7:00-9:00
Sharon Springs Arts Council invites you to get up close and personal with world-class classical guitarist, Harry George Pellegrin at the beautiful Victorian-era New York House on Center Street. Wine and Cheese. $10 (repeat performance)
ONGOING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT ALL MAIN STREET BUSINESSES:
- From 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:30 take an authentic ride in a Victorian horse-drawn carriage from Hessian Hill. Each ride is approximately 10 minutes. Starts at the New York House B & B at 110 Center Street, $10
- Help us celebrate the newest business on Main Street as Chris Stout and Roger Hazzard open their American-made furniture and design store, Love Decades
- In time for your holiday meals, My Sisters’ Place will be providing a dessert tasting at the Finishing Touch, located at the American Emporium. On hand will be: homemade Cheesecake, Apple/Cranberry Pie, Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato & Rum Glaze Cakes, Spiced Soft Biscotti & Holiday French Macarooms. All these desserts can be ordered for the holidays. They’ll also be serving a special brunch at the cafe from 10-2
- McGillycuddy’s Naturals will hand out free sachets
- Sharon Springs Soap Company will be serving free hot cider
- The Black Cat Cafe will be serving Victorian Christmas cookies
- Studio North Dance Studio will also have free warm cider and Special Edition Sharon Springs fleece jackets
- The Cobbler & Co gift shop will host tinsmith Chris Ottman who will demonstrate how he makes tin icicles and other holiday ornaments
- Garden Creations Boutique at 197 Main Street will hold a drawing for a handmade evergreen holiday wreath
- Elderberry Farms will be at The Village Hall Gallery selling their unique products
- Spring House Spa is offering complimentary eggnog and a raffle for a 30 minute head, neck, and shoulder massage
- Visit nearby Thistle Hill Weavers for an open house and a one of a kind sample sale. Choose from their inventory of over-run historic fabrics and have them fashioned into throws, mats, rugs, etc and all will be delivered in time for Christmas
Check back to this page frequently for updates and additions to the festivities. You can print this page and bring it along with you!
First time we attended Victorian celebration. Had a wonderful time, loved how you felt like you were actually in that time period.
Too bad I missed it! Any other events coming up?
Hi, Tina
The next festival is Garden Party Festival the weekend after Memorial Day
Just arrived home and unpacked my purchases…but more important are the things that were no cost. The joy of seeing even more shops /buildings renovated and open, the smiles, decorations and costumes, so many delicious tastes and the great feeling a day in Sharon Springs gives. Now for some ice cream and goat milk caramel! Thank you Sharon Springs.
Can’t wait for Saturday! It is almost here! We are going to the tea and enjoy Sharon Springs and all the activities….and in Victorian costume!
Is the Stone Mansion wheelchair accessible? How about other venues in town?
Hi, Diane
The Stone Mansion is a private residence and all the entrances require some steps. Most other commercial sites in the village do have wheel chair accessibility
Thank you. We’ve learned to do our research ahead of time about wheelchair accessibility. Then again, my husband’s super high-tech chair can climb stairs, so maybe we’ll be OK. Looking forward to Saturday.
Congratulations on another year. Spent my wedding night at the American eleven years ago, Glad ya’ll can now. Never would have expected Sharon Springs as it is now but its an amazing thing what a little elbow grease, soap and some good food can do. And the good cheer don’t hurt at all. Merry Christmas and see ya’ll Friday!
That’s the exact recipe, Billy!
I so want to go but didn’t plan ahead…maybe next year! I’m already thinking up a costume.Will it be the first Saturday after Thanksgiving next year? I am amazed at what you guys have done for Sharon Springs…wish we could get some Fabulous people over here in Columbus, New York to bring our little hamlet alive…
Have a great day and Merry Christmas!
We stayed at the Stone Rose B&B 2 years ago…a little out of town, but just gorgeous!An easy ride to Sharon Springs, wonderful hosts.
The American Hotel is all booked up for that night. Could you recommend any other places?
Yes. Try Edgefield B & B or New York House B & B. If those are full, the owners will be happy to recommend other places, too
Another Christmas without Sharon Springs
This will be our first time at the Victorian Celebration. I am looking forward to all that is planned. Glad to see I can ‘rent’ a Victorian hat for the day. Have the rest of my outfit planned from things in my closet but the hats I have would not work as Victorian. I’m hoping we have clear traveling from Ohio to Sharon Springs. Everything Sharon Springs has is done top-notch thanks to all who put these festivites together.
The costumes look very much at home in the surroundings. Would be a hoot to participate in. What a cool town, and what cool residents.
Your town is Charming, we strolled through it the Saturday after Thanksgiving, on our way home, after visited the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown. I bought your new cookbook at the Farmer's M. Your doll house windows, across the front of your store were fun to examine. I was surprised to see all the old hotels and other buildings, up on the hill above Main Street. Being a member of the Farmer's Museum and going often to Cooperstown, we will stop by your town again.
Thanks for stopping in, Fred. We look forward to seeing you in Sharon Springs again soon
We are gonna be there with bells on, I can't wait, we are bringing our 2 pugs with us, they love any excuse to dress up and model walk. I hope you guys have a good supply of the Beekman 1802 Cajeta, because I want to put that out on Christmas along with the wheel of Beekman Blaak I just got !!
Can't wait to come up Saturday! We missed the Garden Party and Harvest Festival so having Sharon Springs withdrawal! Hope there are Beekman cookbooks left………
How do I get in my Honda in my hoop skirt?
we know you will figure out a way, Roberta. You may have to ride side-saddle
Gosh, sharon spring sounds like a wonderful place with lots of nice and fun people to hang out with, and interesting activities that I would love to be part of. I am from CDA Idaho and there's just nothing much to do but work and home- thank God for internet!
Oh, how I wish I lived in Sharon Springs!!! It is the town I always dreamed about being part of! And it is mainly the two of you who have made it as wonderful as it is, though you would never take credit, I am sure. Yes, it takes a lot of people to make a town, but it took just TWO to make it FABULOUS!
I live in Clinton, BC which is slightly smaller in population than Sharon Springs. We have a Victorian style Ball every May as part of our Western Heritage Week. 2012 will mark the 144th Annual Ball. After reading about your Victorian Christmas I want to hold something like that in December here as well. What a great idea! It sounds like you have lots of fun and lots of participation. Thanks for the ideas.
I CANNOT WAIT to bring my grandkids in their victorian outfits
They are simply adorable!!!! and we are planning on have a great time 
We can't wait either, Kathy!
Hello! Just wanted you to know MKC Photography of NY will have a photo booth set up in the beautiful Victorian living room of the New York House. So be sure to stop in, in your Victorian garb to capture a photo and preserve your memories! (Victorian garb NOT required
)
I love this idea! My town (Fayetteville, NC) does something similar called A Dickens Holiday, and it is held the first Friday after Thanksgiving. All day people are in town dressed like a they are out of a Charles Dickens novel just as a reminder of simpler times. I love it because the whole town gets into the spirit. And once it gets dark everyone gathers at the old Market Square for the closing fireworks. Oh, now I can't wait for this year! I hope you enjoy your festivities!
Will there be a selection of pictures posted of the Victorian Holiday Celebration so the West Coast fans can enjoy Sharon Springs turn-of-the-century festivities also?
Of course, Kim!
Every woman loves dressing up! Ruffles, lace, a skirt — oh my! It doesn't get any more exciting than this!
Thanks for the suggestions Brent! See you there
Sounds like so much fun! I can't wait
Any ideas on where to find victorian costumes locally? I live about 45 minutes from Sharon Springs (I'm right outside of Utica, NY).
HI, Jesica. Get creative. All you need is some ruffles, lace and a long skirt and you are good to go!
I will be there in spirit every step of the way!
wow-what a lineup you guys have…. i'm so jealous…. i live in williamsburg,va. we have "colonial" christmas activities. i'm putting the VICTORIAN CELEBRATION" on my "BUCKET LIST"!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope to see you here one day, Paige
Wow! Lots of things to see and do. I hope my feet can handle it. Can't wait to see all the Victorian ladies and gentlemen in their finery!
I am so looking forward to this event!