Victorian Candlelight Christmas
“Going to the Ball”
Arboretum—December 5 & 6, 2009
The Victorian Society, one of the Arboretum’s important volunteer support groups, will be hosting a special holiday Victorian Candlelight Christmas event called “Going to the Ball” on December 5 & 6, 2009. This fundraising event promises to be an enjoyable and highly entertaining evening for the entire family and represents the “return” of a much-loved holiday tradition at the Arboretum.
The vintage 1894 Heritage House, a Victorian era home on the grounds of the Arboretum, will serve as the primary backdrop for this event and will be decorated in a traditional Victorian holiday theme. There will be 4 narrated vignettes in the house; each station will present members of the Society in costume, playing supporting parts. The central story involves the household getting ready for the Christmas Ball at the St. George Hotel and all the accompanying activities commensurate with the season.
Included in the presentations will be the Doctor’s office, where a patient is being treated waiting for the Ball. The Parlor will feature his daughters engaging in banter about Christmas preparations; the dining room will host grandparents dealing with Christmas past and the kitchen will present the mother and grandmother, putting baskets together for needy families. After the Heritage House presentations, guests will visit nearby Oak Hall, where a couple will be dressed for the Ball by friends, starting with under garments, or “unmentionables” in four phases to their finished outerwear. These and other couples will finally join to simulate the Christmas Ball, featuring Victorian era dancing, ending with the Grand March. Guests will be encouraged to participate.
The cost for this event is $15 per person; advanced reservations and prepayment are required. Admission begins at 5:00 pm and runs every 30 minutes, with the last tour at 7:00 pm. Complimentary cookies and punch will be served after this event in Oak Hall. Tickets and reservations can be made by calling the Arboretum at 657-278-3407 or email to dianeking@fullerton.edu.
Established in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum has served the community as a premier resource for ecological, horticultural and historical education. There is not a charge for visitors, however to help support the development of the Arboretum gardens and educational programs, voluntary donations at the main entrance are encouraged. The Fullerton Arboretum is the largest botanical garden in Orange County. Encompassing 26 lush acres, The Fullerton Arboretum has assembled a permanent collection of over 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. With its ponds, streams and wildlife, the Fullerton Arboretum offers a tranquil retreat from a fast-paced urban life.
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