Find Your Old-Fashioned Christmas in Harrodsburg, Ky

HARRODSBURG, Ky. - Oct. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Kentucky’s oldest town knows how to put on an old-fashioned Christmas celebration. Founded in 1774, Harrodsburg is home to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, America’s largest restored Shaker community and a National Historic Landmark; and Old Fort Harrod State Park, a full-scale replica fort commemorating the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is also blessed with many examples of early architecture, including log cabins – the perfect setting for a holiday home tour. See what Harrodsburg has in store for the holidays here (http://www.harrodsburgky.com/wtd_calendar.html).

Celebrating the simplicity of the season

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (http://www.shakervillageky.org) presents a merry Christmas in the spirit of simplicity: Throughout the month of December, the Village will be adorned with fresh swags, wreaths and garlands, luminaries lining village paths and a 31-foot Norway Spruce.

Holiday activities and events include the lighting of the Christmas tree, lantern-lit tours, bonfires and hot chocolate, Christmas music and caroling, holiday teas and special three-course lunches in the Trustees’ Office Dining Room, craft-making workshops and visits with Mrs. Claus. Board the Jingle Bell shuttle for a festive way to tour the Village; save during Open House shopping at the Shops of the Village; and make paper chains and string popcorn and cranberries and help decorate the Centre Family Dwelling Christmas tree.

Homes for the holidays

On Sat., Dec. 7, Harrodsburg’s Holiday Homes Tours (http://www.harrodsburghistorical.org/) will show off six houses and a church, trimmed with everything from decorations recalling Kentucky’s pioneer past to over-the-top Victorian embellishments to contemporary motifs. Downtown shops will be open, a hometown parade is planned for Saturday afternoon, and The Christmas Tea Room will serve soup, salads and home-style desserts and spiced tea.

A festive frontier

On Nov. 15 and 16, Old Fort Harrod State Park (http://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/fort-harrod/) hosts its 18th Century Market Fair – Christmas for re-enactors who will be able to find historical clothing, gifts, housewares, fabrics, leather goods, powder horns, hunting pouches, knives, sheaths, blacksmith iron work, black powder guns of all types and many other accouterments from highly acclaimed 18th century craftsmen and craftswomen.

At 6 p.m. on Saturday, the sutlers (merchants) will make way for Santa for the Fort’s free Holiday Open House. Tour the decorated fort by candle lanterns and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the blockhouse.

Nestle all snug in a bed

The Beaumont Inn (http://www.beaumontinn.com/) has a “Come Home to Christmas Weekend” package, Dec. 6-8, that includes

two nights lodging, dinner either Friday or Saturday in the Main Dining Room and a full Southern breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings, plus Friday afternoon Innkeepers Tea/Wine reception in the Double Parlors and a Saturday evening holiday musical presentation. Package price: $333-$489 double occupancy.

For its Christmas celebration, Dec. 1 to 31, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill will offer overnight guests a variety of perks such as discounts on shopping and evening programs. The Inn encompasses more than 70 guest rooms, suites and private cottages spread throughout 13 restored 19th century buildings. Room rates are from $100/night.

More holiday fun in November and December:  Holiday Open Houses at Harrodsburg’s shops; Christmas Teas; Raggedy Edge Community Theatre productions of “Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular” and “A Christmas Carol”;  and the “Angels Among Us” annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 6.

Visit www.HarrodsburgKY.com and click on the Calendar of Events to see all of Harrodsburg holiday happenings this season.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen Hackett (mailto:khackett@harrodsburgky.com), Executive Director

Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission (http://www.HarrodsburgKY.com)

800-355-9192 or 859-734-2364

HI- and LOW-RES photos available.

ABOUT HARRODSBURG (http://www.HarrodsburgKY.com), KY | Founded in 1774, Harrodsburg is Kentucky’s oldest city and the coolest place in history. Sitting amidst four National Register Historic Districts in the heart of Kentucky’s famed Bluegrass region, it is home to a lineup of superlative attractions: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, the largest restored Shaker community in America; Beaumont Inn, the state’s oldest family-operated country inn; Old Fort Harrod State Park with full-scale replica fort commemorating the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains; the authentic 115-passenger Dixie Belle sternwheeler, providing an up-close view of one of the most unique ecosystems in the country at the geologically ancient Kentucky River Palisades; and an early American drug store at the circa 1865 Dedman’s Drugstore with original soda fountain. Authentic, affordable and family-friendly, Harrodsburg has a hometown atmosphere with streets lined with architectural treasures, shops spilling over with period crafts and restaurants dishing up traditional Southern cooking. facebook/Harrodsburg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/HarrodsburgMercer-County-Tourist-Commission/260238942507)