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Castle by Candlelight Ushers In Holiday Season

by remerson
Fri, Nov 21st 2014 10:00 am

Once a year, visitors get to see the 1726 French Castle lit entirely by candles. The holiday event, Castle by Candlelight, takes place the first two Saturday nights of December and offers visitors the opportunity to experience what life was like 250 years ago.

In addition to the unique atmosphere, visitors will meet a variety of historical characters including soldiers, Native Americans, fur traders, skilled artisans and camp followers. Twice each evening at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., the Fort's garrison will perform the grand feu de joie with muskets and artillery. This nocturnal "firing of joy" recreates an 18th century military ceremony usually employed to celebrate a great victory.

A variety of musicians will be on hand to provide holiday entertainment with fifes and drums, Celtic favorites and tavern songs. Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in several hands-on activities like writing with a quill pen and playing an 18th century game. In the Castle's Boulangerie, cooks will prepare a traditional holiday feast and explain dining customs of the 18th century. Native Americans will demonstrate the Haudenosaunee game of snow snakes and visitors will have a chance to make and take a corn husk doll. 

The Castle will feature holiday decorations created by the award-winning Youngstown Garden Club. Each year, the Garden Club fashions a new array of traditional decorations to lend the Great Lakes' oldest building a festive air.

The event takes place on Saturday nights, December 6 and 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Visitors may arrive anytime between these hours. The Fort's log cabin will also be open, offering hot beverages and live holiday music. Admission to the event is $8.00 per person with proceeds benefitting the Fort's educational programming. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear walking footwear and bring a flashlight.

The Fort's Museum Shop will also be open throughout the holiday season, offering unique gifts for the history buff. The shop is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and offers a wide variety of books, wearing apparel, historic reproductions and other unique gifts.  

Hours of Operation

January 13 through March, Open Wednesday-Sunday  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

April 1- June 30, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

July and August, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

September 1 - October 15, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

October 16 - December 31, Open Wednesday through Sunday (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The fort will be open daily during Christmas week, December 26 - 31. 

Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 

 

General Admission

Adults:

$20.00

Children (6 to 12 years) 

$12.00

Children (5 and under):

  FREE

 

 

 

 

Support the Fort

Old Fort Niagara is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1927. We do not rely on tax dollars. Instead, the Fort is funded through a combination of admission fees, museum shop sales, and charitable contributions.

Donate today!

 

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