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Celebrate the Holiday Season in Dutchess County
Dutchess County is the perfect place to find fun, seasonal events. From the decorated Great Estates to the community tree lighting ceremonies in villages and towns, there are seasonal activities for friends and families looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Get your free copy of the Holiday and Winter Happenings' calendar, listing events from Thanksgiving through February 2008 at www.DutchessTourism.com or call 800-445-3131.
After Thanksgiving, the region's Great Estates are decorated with thousands of lights and authentic period decorations and ornaments representing different periods of American history. Visit Wilderstein; Staatsburgh State Historic Site; Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site; Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site; FDR Presidential Library and Museum; and Locust Grove, the Samuel Morse Historic Site. Drop in at open houses for refreshments and entertainment and marvel at the period decorations. Historic sites dating from the Revolutionary War era, including Beacon's Mount Gulian Historic Site, Van Wyck Homestead Museum in Fishkill, and the John Kane House in Pawling, are decorated to reflect colonial style celebrations. Some have evening tours by candlelight.
Picturesque towns and villages in Dutchess County host holiday celebrations, featuring Christmas tree lightings, parades, craft fairs, crafts for kids. The highlight, of course, is the arrival of Santa and his reindeer, followed by entertainment and refreshments. The Celebration of Lights parade in Poughkeepsie (11/30) and Tivoli Winterfest (12/15) culminate with fireworks displays.
Across the county, holiday shoppers can find unique gifts for friends and family at numerous craft fairs and the gift shops of the Great Estates. The Dutchess County Arts Council showcases hand-crafted holiday art and gifts at its juried Fine Arts and Craft Market at the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club (11/17-18). More than 100 craftspeople present unique handmade gifts and specialty foods at the Dutchess Community College Holiday Craft Fair (11/24-25). At the Van Wyck Museum Boutique, (11/24-25), shop in the cozy setting of a 1732 farmhouse in Fishkill. County-wide, schools, churches and community groups host craft fairs throughout the holiday season. On Black Friday (11/23) take advantage of Poughkeepsie Galleria's early opening. Shop 'til you drop beginning at 6am!
Experience a multicultural holiday at La Navidad en Nuestro Pueblo (Christmas in Our Hometown) in Beacon. This Latino heritage program celebrates authentic Latin- American holiday customs expressed through South American and Caribbean arts and foods. Try Scandinavian food and drink and see Swedish glass ornaments, toys and clothing at Poughquag's Arnold Larson glass factory's Winter Open House (11/23-25). Join hundreds of others who visit Mariapolis Luminosa in Hyde Park to see the awe-inspiring display of more than 100 nativity scenes and creches from around the world (12/8-16).
Remember your childhood and make great memories for your family at one of the many area productions of holiday favorites, including The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. New Paltz Ballet Theatre returns to the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie with its production of The Nutcracker, which features principal dancers from the New York City Ballet (12/ 8-9). Both the Bardavon (12/ 2) and The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck (11/30- 12/23) feature A Christmas Carol; the Center production is an original adaptation. The Center (12/15) joins the Mid- Hudson Children's Museum (12/28) in presenting the Puppet People's version of Dickens' classic. In addition to these holiday favorites, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic presents Bravo Brahms! (12/ 15), also at the Bardavon.
Children love the holiday season and there are many events just for them. The Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum (12/14) is fun, creative and tasty! Dress them up in holiday finery to attend the Children and Family Holiday Event at Gilded Age mansion Staatsburgh State Historic Site (12/14). The elegant children's reception features storytelling, a puppeteer, a hands-on workshop and complimentary holiday favors. At a proper Children's Christmas Victorian Tea (12/27) at Revolutionary War-era Mount Gulian Historic Site in Beacon, they can learn proper 19th century etiquette and how to make a sachet. Storytelling and music highlight Polar Express Night (12/17) at the Hyde Park Train Station Museum. They can tell Santa just what to bring at Brunch with Santa at The Links at Union Vale (12/9 & 16). These are only a few of the many events geared towards children!
For those seeking some adventure this holiday season, take a drive to one of the many tree farms in Dutchess County to choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Make a day of it and find not only the perfect tree, but also spend some quality time together making memories. Many of the tree farms have gift shops with holiday decorations and fresh wreaths, while others have hayrides and petting zoos. All have many different types of trees to choose from and have saws, baling and carts available.
January and February are great times to catch up on the numerous performing arts events and fine arts exhibits throughout Dutchess County. Plan a romantic weekend getaway around Valentines' Day. Learn something new and expand your taste at The Culinary Institute of America's Winter Dining Series, (January March), a series of themed lunches and dinners at their prestigious Hyde Park campus. The Merce Cunningham Dance Company performs at Dia: Beacon, Riggio Galleries (1/ 12-13). Known for his compelling collaborations with visual artists and composers, Merce will choreograph eight signature, site-specific events in the vast museum gallery spaces.
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