Christmas at Mt. Hope

Christmas at Mt. Hope
By Mitchell L. Hillman

Jacob Marley may be long dead, and indeed may be as dead as a door nail, but just how dead a door nail is, is of no consequence here. Jacob Marley’s ghost has awakened and will soon be ready to haunt that miserable, tireless grinch Ebenezer Scrooge once again. No, you don’t have to travel back in time or even to London, you need only to drive a short distance to Mount Hope to witness a multitude of merriments and celebration surrounding Charles Dicken’s eternal holiday hope chest, A Christmas Carol.

This holiday season, Mount Hope Estate & Winery celebrates the 13th year for the ever popular performance of A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas. This popular seasonal event is a favorite feature for both attendees and the talented players of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Acting Company. Where else would you find Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Artful Dodger and the Fezziwigs together again, for the first time?

This five-weekend event will be held in the Victorian grandeur of Mount Hope Mansion bedecked in her 19th Century Holiday finery. Although the program has changed from year to year, a good time can always be expected as you tour from room to room and are entertained by stories and playlets throughout the mansion. Not only are the myths and legends of Christmas explored in these delightful acts, but the true spirit of Christmas is sought and usually found just around the corner.

The performances traditionally begins with Master Dickens himself playing host for his special guests in attendance. From there it is anyone’s guess as to what will happen next, although there is a guarantee that you will meet up with many of the classic, colorful characters from the pages of Dickens’ timeless texts. You may even be invited to partake in such festive activities as tree trimming, parlor games and caroling in front of the mansion’s massive Tasting Room fireplace.

For many people in Central Pennsylvania, A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas is a yearly tradition and a necessary Yuletide outing. In the spirit of the Mount Hope’s Renaissance Faire, the performances and actors are highly interactive with the audience. All the better to fill those with Christmas doubts with the true warmth of the season and perhaps even a Scrooge or two will come around to the true meaning of holiday enjoyment.

The spirits of the Holiday season are both conjured up by old Scrooge and the special mulled holiday wines served piping hot as partygoers are invited to sample vintages from the Mount Hope wine cellars between each performance. If the performances themselves do not warm the cockles of you heart or raise the hackles on your neck, then this may be just what the Spirits of Christmas ordered.

Come one, come all to this truly spectacular annual event and witness the magic of the Mansion, the spirit of the season and a very special time to share with friends, family, fellow guests, the Fezziwigs and the ever friendly actors and actresses. If you have never visited the Mount Hope Estate during the most wonderful time of the year, you may want to mark your calendar now and make reservations soon. You won’t regret and you won’t forget attending the wonder of A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas. And if you do regret or forget this spectacle then you truly are a bah-humbug Scrooge.

A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas and all the shows in the Theatre in the Mansion series are productions of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Over the past few years, the Faire has enjoyed the distinction of having been named one of the Top 250 Events in America by Events Business News and one of the top 100 Events in America by the American Bus Association.

A Charles Dickens Victorian Christmas begins Friday, November 28 and continues Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 28. Friday show times are 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday show times are noon, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Admission for Saturday performances is $13.95 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 5 to 11. Admission for all other performance days is $12.95 for adults and $5.00 for children. Reservations can be made by calling 717-665-7021, ext. 231, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Mount Hope Estate is located on Route 72, ¼ mile south of PA Turnpike Exit 20.