Locals can visit the Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton for a holiday marketplace, live entertainment and kids’ activities.
Burlington County Freeholder Linda Hughes announced today that the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders will once again be hosting the Annual Victorian Holiday Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton.
Festivities will include ice carving demonstrations, live reindeer, holiday train and carriage rides, live entertainment and much more. Admission and parking are free.
“This holiday celebration is a great opportunity for families to celebrate the season at Historic Smithville Park,” said Hughes, liaison to the County Department of Resource Conservation. “There is something for everyone to enjoy at this annual event. I encourage everyone to come out and take part in this great county event and all of the seasonal activities offered.”
St. Nick will kick things off when he arrives by horse and carriage at 1 p.m., with the Grinch and Scrooge in attendance as well.
There will be plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect photo for holiday cards.
Kids can join Mrs. Claus to listen to her stories about Santa, enjoy a train or carriage ride and other holiday themed activities.
Visitors will also be able to shop for the holidays from a variety of vendors at the Holiday Marketplace.
Visitors are also invited to enjoy the splendor of a Christmas past with a tour of the Historic Smithville Mansion, lavishly decorated for the holidays in a grand Victorian style.
The 2017 theme is a Victorian Christmas during Queen Victoria’s reign in the mid 1800s. There is a nominal fee to tour the mansion. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and furnishing Smithville Mansion.
Smithville’s free galleries and museums will also be open throughout the event. The annual holiday art exhibit will feature winter and holiday themed pieces from local artists. The exhibit will open during the Victorian Holiday Celebration and remain open through the month of December.
Visitors are encouraged to bring new unwrapped gifts to the event to donate to the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive.
Historic Smithville Park is located at 803 Smithville Road in Eastampton. For more information, call (609) 265–5858 or visit the Burlington County Parks website at:www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks
