Colonial

Colonial

celebration will

be held Dec. 7-9

By Mary Ann Kuhn

Rappahannock News Writer

The village of Washington, Virginia soon will turn into a Colonial Christmas festival as shopkeepers, craftsmen, Colonial dancers, town criers, Christmas play performers, churches, galleries, bed and breakfasts and inns come together to put on a spectacular celebration Dec. 7-9.

A highlight during the weekend festivities is the grand opening on Saturday of the Inn at Little Washington’s newest gift shop, a restored 18th century residence that was once the home of former Washington, Va., Mayor Dean Morehouse.

From china, silver, glassware and jewelry to towels, soaps and feather beds, many of the Inn’s signature items are displayed in this historic setting, now decorated for the Christmas holiday.

Named “The Mayor’s House,” the shop is located on Main Street, across the street from the Inn’s kitchen.

It is there, in this gift shop, that Patrick O’Connell, the Inn’s chef/proprietor and winner of America’s Outstanding Chef Award for 2001,. will autograph copies of his highly acclaimed cookbook at a book signing from 3-4 p.m., on Saturday.

There also will be a tasting of several of the book’s most popular recipes.

Meanwhile, there will be eggnog at the gift shop, Rare Finds, from 2-4 p.m., on Main Street. The shop, which also sells antiques, will offer demonstrations by artists.

Throughout the weekend, costumed members of the 4-H Pony Club will be riding through the village as town criers, up and down streets decorated with garlands and wreaths and candlelit lanterns.

Colonial dancers in ball gowns and frock coats will be dancing to Baroque and Renaissance Chamber Music during several candlelight performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the Town Hall on Gay Street.

County and town residents have been practicing for months for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances of “The Shepherds’ Play,” a 14th century Christmas drama, at the Ki Theatre

See COLONIAL, Page A5