Evening star., 1960-12-04

style Christmas in Colonial
Williamsburg is the perfect
answer.
It's also a novel way to
spend q winter family vaca-
ton. For the children. see
ing the Yule customs they've
read about come to life. will
be an exciting experience.
The festivities will begin on
December l9 when the re-
stored Colonial town illumi-
mates the whole city in ira
ditiorlal ceremony during
which candies are lighted in
all the windows. There win
also be a military muster at
Campbell's Tavern. a march
by militia and ccstumed car
oilers. and refreshments at
the Governors Palace.
Then will follow another
ceremony enjoyed by our fore
fathers-tagging the tree. The
townspeople and tourists all
go out into the woods to find
and tag the tree from which
the Yule logs will be cut.
Only one tree is tagged,
usually q large oak or hickory
or beech.
Gr0aning Board
This first day ends appro-
priately with the "groaning
board" a sumptuous Colonial
feast and party at which the
men are given large open
throated Colonial shirts to
wear over their suits and the
ladies huge napkins a yard
square to tuck under their
chins.
On December 20. the time
honored tradition of bring
ing in the Yule log. so often
represented on Christmas
cards, will be held at the
Williamsburg Inn. Before 1t
is brought in. however, there
is a search for it where 1t
has been hidden in the
nearby woods. When 1t is re-
covered it is then carried
inside to be placed on a roar
ing fire. As the Yule log is
carried in the door. the rev.
elers touch 1t with a piece Of
holly. then throw the holly in
the fire on the Yule log. the
custom representing their
cares Of the past year which
they wish to throw away"
The vacationer will find a
variety Of events on the
Christmas holiday calendar
to. do in Williamsburg. right
up to and including January
6. the feast Of the Epiphany
which in merry olde England
was called the Twelfth Night.
Sightseeing through the
craft shops by "lanthorn" at
night, a day tour Of all the
principal places of interest
for the children who each
will be given a tricorn Colo
NAL hat. dinners, balls and
concerts are all scheduled.
Caroling
On December 81 and "a,
there will be q Christmas
marionette show and street
caroling.
Other exciting events will
be the firing Of the Christmas
guns on the Palace Green
by costumed militiamen. and
two colorful 18th century
concerts with costumed musi.
clans in the candlelit ball
room of the Governors Pal
ace, on December 23
The highlight Of Christmas
eve viii be a repetition Of
the Yule Log ceremony, out
doors this time on the Mar
ket Square Green, and the
lighting Of q community
Christmas tree.
Christmas Day will be OBJ
served quietly. with the only
social affair schedule an
sll-day open house ard re-
ception at the Capitol. The
Christmas Story in films will
be shown at the towns In
formation Center.
Two Christmas week events
will include the Duke of
Gloucester street party, a ira
ditional community celebra-
tion on December 81 at which
there will be dancing in the
streets, caroling, a parade,
games. contests and singing
around a bonfire. The annual
Holly Ball will also be held
that day.
New Years Eve
New Years Eve in Will
liamsburg is a memorable
occasion. celebrated as it was
200 years ago. There will be
a candlelight organ recital
in historic Bruton Parish
Church, a candlelight tour of
the Capitol, and a New Years
Eve party at Williamsburg
Lodge. with 18th century
comedies, the Potomac Eng
lish Hand Bell Ringers.
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