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The Youngstown Garden Club will decorate the 1726 French Castle for `Castle by Candlelight,` Dec. 8 and 15. Here is an example of décor from past years. (Photo by Wayne Peters)
The Youngstown Garden Club will decorate the 1726 French Castle for "Castle by Candlelight," Dec. 8 and 15. Here is an example of décor from past years. (Photo by Wayne Peters)

Youngstown: Make festive & merry memories at 'Castle by Candlelight'

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Thu, Nov 29th 2018 02:55 pm
Youngstown Garden Club decorates French Castle for annual event
Old Fort Niagara brims with holiday merriment, festive songs, creative crafts and booming celebrations at the annual "Castle by Candlelight," happening from 6:30-8:15 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15. This annual fundraiser allows visitors to step back in time and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the Christmas season within the candlelit-setting of the 18th century fort.
" 'Castle by Candlelight' creates an atmosphere that is the epitome of holiday spirit," said Robert Emerson, executive director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. "The decorations, music, activities and re-enactors transform Old Fort Niagara into a Christmas wonderland, and the money raised through admission supports our educational programs in the new year."
The event offers hands-on activities and interactive history demonstrations, including exhibits of fur trading, woodworking and silver trading, preparing an 18th century meal, soldiers' activities, Native songs and dance, playing games, writing with quill pens, and making crafts. Music will be provided by the fort's field musicians while local musicians play period tunes. Historical characters will be everywhere to share history and welcome guests.
Many of the evenings' activities take place in the French Castle, which Youngstown Garden Club members and volunteers decorate with natural evergreen boughs, ribbons, handmade ornaments, dried flowers and berries. The castle, built in 1726, is the oldest building on the Great Lakes.
Activities will happen outdoors, too, including the "feu de joie" (firing of joy) musket and cannon firings, which recreate an 18th century military ceremony that celebrated great victory. Storytelling around a fire and Native song and dance demonstrations will also happen on the fort's parade ground.
Homemade soup, authentic bread pudding, hot cocoa, soft drinks and cookies will be for sale onsite at the Trading Post (while supplies last), while musicians provide live holiday music for customers.
Tickets will be available only at the door for $15 per person from 6:30-8 p.m. each night. Children ages 5 and under are free. Cash and credit will be accepted, but exact cash is encouraged to help expedite lines. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear walking footwear and bring a flashlight.
The fort's Museum Shop will also be open, offering a wide variety of books, apparel, historic reproductions and other unique gift items. The shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The fort's next event will be the "Twelfth Night Ball," on Jan. 5, 2019. Tickets for this 18th-century English country dance will go on sale Dec. 3.
Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, a not-for-profit organization, in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

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