Summerville Recalls The Spirit Of Christmases Past

By Celebrating Victorian Christmas December 5-6

Victorian Christmas will be celebrated this weekend on the streets of Summerville, Georgia. Over 13 window displays depicting the Victorian Era will come alive with narrators sharing the story of days past. The celebration will run Saturday, December 5- Sunday, December 6. Saturday’s celebration will begin at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 pm. Live entertainment will be on the Chattooga County Courthouse steps, food and craft vendors will also be set up on the sidewalks downtown and at the Summerville Depot.  Window narrators will be on site, sharing the special stories at each window display from 12:00 noon-3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday the celebration will continue during the hours of 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Window narrators will return for live narrations from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Whisker Wars, a competition among hirsute gentlemen for the finest facial hair, will be held during the Saturday, December 5th Victorian Christmas Celebration. Those men who participated in no-shave November could use those whiskers to win prizes. Manly men can compete in the categories of best mustache, best beard, and people’s choice to   take home prizes. To enter this contest, one must be dressed in clothing representing the Victorian era, sporting a beard or mustache. Registration will be held from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. on the steps of the Chattooga County Courthouse; with final judging at 2:30 p.m. and announcement of winners at 2:45 p.m.

A Victorian Christmas Costume Contest will be offered as well. Participants must be clothed in dress appropriate for the Victorian era. Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the steps of the Chattooga County Courthouse; with final judging at 2:45 p.m. and the announcement of winners at 3:00 p.m. Group photos will be taken on the courthouse steps at 3:15 for all entrants of both contests, as well as Victorian Christmas Cast Members.

This event is free and sponsored by The City of Summerville and Summerville Main Street.

 

It’s easy and fun to dress as a Victorian.

You don’t have to spend lots of money or time to do it.

Here are some simple ideas:

  • Wear a vest over high-collared shirt.
  • Put knee socks over jeans or pants to look like knickers.
  • Attach feathers to a broad-brimmed hat and put on a pair of long, elbow length gloves.
  • Shirt sleeves pushed up with elastic at the elbows
  • Tie a long scarf over a blouse, sweater, jacket etc.
  • Drape a shawl over a blouse or shirt
  • Wear colorful suspenders over a plain, plaid or paisley shirt
  • Wear a bow tie or string tie.
  • Try a top hat, a bowler, or a fake handlebar mustache!
  • Add some ruffles! A ruffled apron over an ankle length skirt or a ruffled cap.