Christmas is coming to Switzerland County beginning tomorrow night in Vevay
It’s officially December — and that means that a wide variety of Christmas programs and events are getting underway.
Here in Switzerland County, everything gets underway tomorrow (Friday) — and continue through the coming weeks.
Here’s a look at upcoming events:
First Friday
Santa Claus is coming to town tomorrow for Vevay’s ‘First Friday’ celebration — highlighting a wide variety of activities and events co-sponsored by Vevay Main Street and Switzerland County Tourism.
‘First Friday’ will be held from 6-9 p.m.; with Santa’s Workshop being located at The Racing Performance Museum at 106 East Main Street.
Children are invited to stop by and share with Santa what they want for Christmas and receive a toy from Kris Kringle; and four lucky children will take home bicycles and there will also be several stuffed animals and toys given away. There is no fee to register for the drawing.
Tourism is furnishing two of the bicycles and the stuffed animals that will be given away; while Kim and Gary Trout of the Racing Performance Museum are providing two more bicycles.
The board of directors of the Swiss Wine Festival will be providing hot chocolate throughout the evening; and there will also be vendor booths set up in the museum.
Vevay Main Street will also be handing out toys to the children; and all children will receive a bag of candy.
Stores in Vevay will be open late and will be featuring special sales; and everyone will have the chance to take a ride around the town on “Santa’s Sleigh”, which will be loading by the courthouse.
Christmas Sing
Beginning at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) the Historic Hoosier Theater will be hosting a Christmas Sing.
There will be Christmas songs and carols, special performances, and holiday readings; and included in the event will be an “Ugly Sweater” contest that everyone is invited to participate in.
This is a free event with freewill donations greatly appreciated. Everyone is invited to attend.
No lights this year
Something missing from previous years will be the absence of the Christmas Light Display that has been constructed in the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park.
Switzerland County Tourism opted not to spearhead the program this year, and Vevay Main Street was met with some challenges in trying to put the display together — as the displays all require maintenance and upgrades after a year in storage.
It is hoped that some organization will step forward to take on the responsibility of providing upkeep and construction of the display so that it will make a return in 2023.
Country Christmas
Two distinctive holiday vibes with a unique flair are yours to enjoy at the Thiebaud Farmstead and Musee de Venoge when ‘Country Christmas’ is presented on Saturday, December 10th.
Share the joy, merriment and wonder of the Season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at these two historic sites in Vevay.
Begin your Country Christmas adventure at the Thiebaud Farmstead at 5147 Highway 56.
The folks at the Thiebaud house will be celebrating the home life during the Christmas season of the early 1860s. A modest feather tree will adorn the table in the formal parlor, where West of Dublin will be playing period tunes for those who wish to dance. You can also join in singing the carols and tunes of the time. A variety of holiday goodies will be served with tea to further your enjoyment.
A Christmas dinner will be cooking on the kitchen hearth and fireplace, where tea and cookies for guests will also be prepared. Ladies in the east parlor will be tending to textile projects while sharing the local gossip. Christmas crafts and storytelling will complete the day. You’re like family. Please join us!
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After enjoying a Country Christmas at the Thiebaud Farmstead, journey the short distance to the Musee de Venoge at 4085 Highway 129. Here you can step into the Eagle Tavern and raise your glass in A Christmas Tavern!
The Venoge cottage has been reconfigured to resemble the taverns so commonly found throughout early 19th Century Indiana. If you are a subscriber or regular viewer of the Musee de Venoge YouTube Channel, you are aware of their new series called “Tales from the Tavern.” The set built for the filming is still there!
Realizing the incredible opportunity this gave the site for offering a new slant on Christmas time celebrations, Donna Weaver and the museum’s Board of Directors decided to maintain the set.
Those who stop by will enjoy the atmosphere of this recreated early Indiana tavern. A toasty fire will warm you as you sample more 19th century punches mixed by historical mixologists Amy Liebert and Brian Cushing. Their YouTube Channel “The Victorian Barroom” challenges you to drink like a Victorian. You might recognize them as well from the Venoge series “Juleps. Songs and Jacob’s Punch” where they portray the original owners of the Venoge Cottage, Jacob and Charlotte Weaver.
Musician Lance Minnis will be performing period tunes during the event at Venoge.
Everyone is also invited to sample traditional Christmas fare such as homemade Marzipan, Swiss Springerle cookies, sugared cranberries, breads and pies.
Learn from and enjoy the early roots of some of the Christmas traditions we all still hold dear. A Country Christmas at the Thiebaud Farmstead and A Christmas Tavern at Musee de Venoge is free of charge for all attendees.