BELLEFONTE — Any other weekend, men and women walking downtown dressed in top hats and dresses straight out of another time period would be looked at rather strangely, but they are part of the wonder during Bellefonte Victorian Christmas.
Held Dec. 9 to 11, it seemed as though all of Bellefonte was involved, from tours of the Victorian mansions, tea time for children at the Little House, arts and crafts at the middle school and YMCA and performances and dinners at churches and venues throughout town.
“It is a chance to celebrate our Victorian history, celebrate Christmas and really show off Bellefonte to others,” said Dona Goldman.
Goldman has been helping children learn manners during tea time at Victorian Christmas for 20 years.
“The children usually are all so well behaved, and enjoy the tea and the traditions,” said Goldman. “I think it’s because they are dressed up, and it is special.”
Bellefonte Mayor Thomas Wilson said that the tours of the Victorian mansions give people a chance to satisfy some curiosities.
“People drive by these beautiful Victorian homes all the time, so this gives them a special chance to see the inside,” he said.
Santa’s house somehow makes its way to the front of the Centre County Courthouse in the days leading up to the event. Children from the area come to tell Santa their Christmas wishes throughout the weekend.
Sometimes, an adult makes his way to Santa’s lap. This year, Donald Anspauch came all the way from California, and he already got his Christmas wish. Anspauch flew in Dec. 8 for his mom’s 90th birthday, and ended up in the hospital after arrival, when he had a heart attack. After a stent procedure and some recovery, the Bellefonte native felt good enough to walk around the event with his close friends and family, and even sit on Santa’s lap.
“I just want to celebrate life after the past few days, and to be here with my family is really special,” said Anspauch.
All weekend long the ‘clop, clop, clop’ of the horses’ hooves ringing off the pavement could be heard, as a carriage was pulled around the town. The buggy carried passengers past all of the old Victorian buildings.
“Victorian Christmas is a time to really celebrate Bellefonte’s past,” said Robbin Zirkle, information service librarian at the Pennsylvania Room and Historical Museum. The museum has many of Bellefonte’s historical pieces, and rooms were set up similarly to how they would have been during Victorian times. Over the weekend, the museum held small concerts, and Zirkle did double duty dressed as Mrs. Claus at story time for children.
“Good day!” and “Happy Christmas!” were shouted by the actors dressed as characters from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as they walked around town, adding to the cheer. They kept busy all weekend with performances and were always ready for a quick picture with passersby. Staying in character, they marveled at many of today’s technological wonders.
Many vendors had displays at the YMCA and middle school, selling everything from scarves to hot sauce. Janet Robinson has been selling her Piper’s Peck hot pepper products for 16 years at the event and says it is special.
“The fact that they make us all dress up in Victorian costumes really adds to the atmosphere,” said Robinson. “It makes it more fun for the vendors and the customers.”
The weekend’s cold weather made the atmosphere very winter-like, with people bundled up outside and gathered together inside to stay warm. Snow on Dec. 11 only added to the magic of the 35th annual event.
