Tuesday night will be your last chance to experience Richmond, Indiana’s Old Fashioned Christmas Festival held throughout the historic Depot District from 5pm-9pm. This is a free event and a perfect opportunity to get into that Norman Rockwell holiday mood. http://bit.ly/uElS6J
I had come to Richmond’s Christmas Festival with friends on a particularly damp night. In spite of the chilly weather, we were soon warmed by a community of smiling faces and heartfelt welcomes.
We saw live reindeer and “miniature” reindeer, and then watched as merry makers of all ages lined up for a ride on Wayne County’s double decker bus. Inside, the windows were festooned with white lights and greenery and the air soon filled with carols sung by the upper deck riders.
The patina-red bus pulled away from the curb as a horse-drawn wagon clip-clopped along the luminaire lined thoroughfare. The delightful jingle of bells was heard throughout the streets, preparing the littlest ones for their visit with Santa Claus in the three story Richmond Furniture Gallery. Located in a handsomely restored 1880’s era building, this is not a typical furniture store. Each floor is filled with an eclectic assortment of antiques, curiosities and new furniture. We paused for a moment to listen to Somebody’s Brothers, knowing that the Boys and Girls Club Choir will fill the store with music again on December 20th.
On the first floor, Santa carefully listened to each whispered Christmas wish. And in case you forgot to tell Santa just one more thing, there was a special mailbox for those all-important letters heading to the North Pole!
The three of us walked up the stairs to the third floor. We were enthralled with the model railroad display. Everyone from the very young and to the young-at-heart watched the chugging HO scale trains at the top of the landscaped mountain and the sleek O and G-scale passenger trains racing along the base. The knowledgeable model railroaders were available to answer questions while sharing their love of this year-round hobby.
On the other side of the room was a child-sized train ride with a circular track and an engine chugging through an indoor winter wonderland filled with stuffed snowmen, happy elves and oversized candy canes.
We went outside in the crisp night, looking into cheerful store fronts and exchanging holiday greetings in the frosty air. Every merchant offered free hot chocolate or fresh cookies; a warming cup of cider or tasty candy canes to window and gift shoppers alike.
Escaping the nip in the air, we stepped into the Atlas Senior Apartments and browsed through tables of the residents’ handmade crafts. Everything from jewelry, wood work and needle crafts were displayed and reasonably priced making our holiday shopping a snap!
Before leaving Richmond, we walked to the Firehouse BBQ and Blues to see the restored building and learn about their official opening on January 1, 2012. http://on.fb.me/uIME15 Look for more news about this great venue in the weeks to come.
Susan Ray is a freelance writer and co-founder of a local writers’ group. She loves her life in Indiana and is passionate about discovering and sharing the little known treasures and the unexpected beauty of the Hoosier state with newcomers and natives alike. "When I first visited Indiana, I expected the stereotypical corn and beans and flat landscape. What I found instead were acres of history, culture and adventure!" Susan often shares these forays into the wonderland of Indiana with her companionable husband and sends far too many postcards to her Tar Heel son and daughter-in-law. Visit her blog at http://discoveringhome.com/ and take a look at the latest news from the writers’ group at http://wordwritesguild.org/
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| Children's FREE train ride |
I had come to Richmond’s Christmas Festival with friends on a particularly damp night. In spite of the chilly weather, we were soon warmed by a community of smiling faces and heartfelt welcomes.
We saw live reindeer and “miniature” reindeer, and then watched as merry makers of all ages lined up for a ride on Wayne County’s double decker bus. Inside, the windows were festooned with white lights and greenery and the air soon filled with carols sung by the upper deck riders.
The patina-red bus pulled away from the curb as a horse-drawn wagon clip-clopped along the luminaire lined thoroughfare. The delightful jingle of bells was heard throughout the streets, preparing the littlest ones for their visit with Santa Claus in the three story Richmond Furniture Gallery. Located in a handsomely restored 1880’s era building, this is not a typical furniture store. Each floor is filled with an eclectic assortment of antiques, curiosities and new furniture. We paused for a moment to listen to Somebody’s Brothers, knowing that the Boys and Girls Club Choir will fill the store with music again on December 20th.
On the first floor, Santa carefully listened to each whispered Christmas wish. And in case you forgot to tell Santa just one more thing, there was a special mailbox for those all-important letters heading to the North Pole!
The three of us walked up the stairs to the third floor. We were enthralled with the model railroad display. Everyone from the very young and to the young-at-heart watched the chugging HO scale trains at the top of the landscaped mountain and the sleek O and G-scale passenger trains racing along the base. The knowledgeable model railroaders were available to answer questions while sharing their love of this year-round hobby.On the other side of the room was a child-sized train ride with a circular track and an engine chugging through an indoor winter wonderland filled with stuffed snowmen, happy elves and oversized candy canes.
We went outside in the crisp night, looking into cheerful store fronts and exchanging holiday greetings in the frosty air. Every merchant offered free hot chocolate or fresh cookies; a warming cup of cider or tasty candy canes to window and gift shoppers alike.
Escaping the nip in the air, we stepped into the Atlas Senior Apartments and browsed through tables of the residents’ handmade crafts. Everything from jewelry, wood work and needle crafts were displayed and reasonably priced making our holiday shopping a snap!
Before leaving Richmond, we walked to the Firehouse BBQ and Blues to see the restored building and learn about their official opening on January 1, 2012. http://on.fb.me/uIME15 Look for more news about this great venue in the weeks to come.
We reluctantly headed for home with a fresh enthusiasm for the coming holidays and plenty of terrific ideas for return visits. When looking for the best place to spend an evening with friends, or getaway for the weekend anytime of the year, check http://www.visitrichmond.org/attractions.cfm
Susan Ray is a freelance writer and co-founder of a local writers’ group. She loves her life in Indiana and is passionate about discovering and sharing the little known treasures and the unexpected beauty of the Hoosier state with newcomers and natives alike. "When I first visited Indiana, I expected the stereotypical corn and beans and flat landscape. What I found instead were acres of history, culture and adventure!" Susan often shares these forays into the wonderland of Indiana with her companionable husband and sends far too many postcards to her Tar Heel son and daughter-in-law. Visit her blog at http://discoveringhome.com/ and take a look at the latest news from the writers’ group at http://wordwritesguild.org/
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