(Stoughton, WI) All too often, the warm spirit of the holidays is lost in the shimmer of retail glitz. It’s always heart-warming to remember simpler times and connect with family and friends in the true spirit of the season. There’s no better place to do that than in Stoughton during Victorian Holiday Weekend, December 3-5, 2010.
This unique winter festival features theater, dance, music, shopping, and sports. Victorian Holiday Weekend is a perfect weekend for friends, couples, or families with children. Couples might choose to attend a dance, stroll through a home tour, and enjoy great local food. Families may want to ride the free trolley, see a show, decorate holiday cards or cookies, and be dazzled by the illuminated fire truck parade. Friends will enjoy music at the Opera House, learning about Victorian quilts, and shopping the unique stores and boutiques of this historic, artistic community. Sports enthusiasts can enter the 5K run or 2k walk or build a crazy bed to race in the Victorian Bed Races.
The official tree lighting Friday night launches the holiday with a special guest to illuminate the tree. There will be entertainment and the Sweet Taste of Stoughton, a community bake sale. The evening continues with The Victorian Holiday Party, a light-hearted evening of dance and entertainment. Sit and chat with friends, dance the night away, enjoy a display of fire department memorabilia, and savor treats from the Sweet Taste of Stoughton. Best of all, the evening benefits the Stoughton Fire Department.
Saturday is a whirlwind of opportunity for free and affordable entertainment. The Nutcracker Ballet performs at Stoughton High School, and vocal and instrumental groups perform at various locations around town. The Arts and Craft Fair runs both Saturday and be and sure to check out the Rosemaling demonstration at Clocktower Gifts. Relay for Life hosts a holiday home tour featuring some of Stoughton’s beautiful homes decked out for the season. A reception and silent auction follows afterwards. Proceeds from the tour and reception once again benefit the American Cancer Society. On Saturday and Sunday the free trolley takes visitors to most events. On Saturday, Joe DeRose from the Wisconsin State Historical Society will join trolley riders with informative talks about Stoughton’s historic buildings and past.
Sunday features the Dickens of a Run with a 5K run and 2K walk through some of Stoughton’s historic neighborhoods, followed by the action-packed, pulse-pounding Victorian Bed Races. The afternoon highlights a free performance by the world-famous Stoughton Norwegian Dancers at the community center and a charming concert by the Stoughton Chamber Singers at the historic Opera House.
Spend a day or two in the charming small town of Stoughton for a taste of Christmas without the hype. Experience the best of the season without the stress, or hassle of big crowds, fighting for parking, and commercial overload. It’s a chance to remember why we say Merry Christmas. For a full schedule of events visit the Victorian Holiday Weekend website.