Christmas on the Frontier
December 1
This holiday season, experience Christ-
mas as it was celebrated on the colonial
frontier with a visit to Fort Randolph in
Point Pleasant’s Krodel Park. This annual
event is free to the public, and visitors will
enjoy reenactors portraying the Christ-
mas traditions and customs of the time.
“The fort is decorated in greenery and
ribbons, typical decorations for the 18th
century,” says Deb Cassady, chairper-
son of the Fort Randolph Committee.
“Reenactors are dressed in clothing ap-
propriate for the late 1770s, and snacks
such as candy and punch are provided
to the public.”
Guests are encouraged to explore the
fort and speak with the reenactors while
warming themselves by the tavern fire.
Volunteers will share the history of Fort
Randolph, which served as an outpost
and a safe place for soldiers on the west-
ern frontier, an important part of West
Virginia’s rich heritage.
“I love sharing the 18th-century holiday
traditions,” says Cassady. “Point Pleasant
is a town that understands and appreci-
ates all of the historical events that have
taken place in the community, and this
event is a way to share in the holidays and
connect the past to the present.”
auction goes to special needs children in
the Mid-Ohio Valley. The display fills the
lobby and entire first floor of the hotel.
It remains up for three weeks and brings
in more than 1,000 visitors each year.
“The auction is typically held the first
Thursday in December so patrons can
have the decorations in their homes for
the holidays,” explains Melissa Marco,
director of community relations for the
Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. “In
years past, the Festival of Trees was ranked
as one of the top 10 things to see in West
Virginia during the holidays.”
The auction day also includes breakfast
with Santa, making it a family affair. “It’s
the season to be with family and friends,
and this magical display really brings
people together,” says Nicole Slattery,
marketing manager for The Blennerhas-
sett Hotel. “To know you are supporting
such a wonderful cause makes it that much
more heartwarming and enjoyable when
viewing these amazing trees.”
November 9–January 1
November 30–December 9
Guests take in the light show at Oglebay’s
Festival of Lights. Photo by Oglebay.
November 20–December 6
Holiday shoppers join Santa and
Mrs. Claus at Harpers Ferry Olde
Tyme Christmas. Photo by Harpers
Ferry Merchants Association.
The annual Festival of Trees, held at
The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkers-
burg, WV, is a decorating contest and
fundraiser that benefits the Easter Seals,
an organization that provides services to
individuals with disabilities and special
needs and their families.
Now in its 32nd year, the contest allows
local artists and businesses to decorate
a tree, wreath or mantel piece to be auc-
tioned off, and all of the money from the
Winter Festival of Lights
Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christmas
Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees at The
Blennerhassett Hotel.
Photo by Nicole Slattery.
“Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christ-
mas is a traditional event filled with the
sights, sounds and smells of a traditional
American Christmas celebration,” says
Liesel Corder, secretary of the Harpers
Ferry Merchants Association, chairperson
of the Olde Tyme Christmas committee
and owner of Stonehouse Bed & Break-
fast. “The goal is to increase visitorship
and commerce in December. We strive to
provide an event centered around histo-
ry, hospitality and singularity. We want
guests to experience what makes Harp-
ers Ferry special.”
Capture the spirit of historic Harpers
Ferry at the Olde Tyme Christmas cel-
ebration. Enjoy the quaintly decorated
streets, extended hours and special sales
at local shops and restaurants, the light-
ing of the Yule Log and town Christmas
tree, candy-making demonstrations, a
visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, perfor-
mances by local musicians and histori-
ans, a live nativity at St. Pete’s Catholic
Church, the Bolivar Christmas parade
and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Hosted by the Harpers Ferry Mer-
chants Association, Town of Harpers
Ferry, Town of Bolivar, West Virginia
State Division of Culture and History and
Jefferson County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, the annual event is a true com-
munity effort.
Oglebay’s annual Winter Festival of
Lights is listed as one the 10 Best Christ-
mas Light Displays in the U.S. according
to AOL Travel. Enjoy this year’s light show
with new 3-D sleigh bans, holographic
eyewear that transforms every light into
an even more magical display.
Since 1985, the Winter Festival of Lights
has grown into one of the country’s larg-
est holiday light shows and attracts more
than 1 million visitors per year. The show
includes 300 acres of twinkling lights over
a 6-mile drive and 90 lighted attractions
with more than 1 million energy-efficient
LED lights. While the event is free, a per-
car donation is requested.
Come for the lights, but stay for the
atmosphere. The resort offers a wide
variety of holiday activities, including
specially priced overnight packages, a
winter carnival, Santa’s reindeer training
school, Christmas at Oglebay Good Zoo,
breakfast with Santa, holiday shopping,
trolley tours, nighttime receptions, live
entertainment and pictures with Santa.
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
FALL 2018
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