Although
pine boughs and frosted window panes are far from the minds of most Old
Louisville residents, busy elves have already begun preparations for the 32nd Annual Old Louisville Holiday House
Tour on December 6th & 7th. Sponsored by Don Driskell and Catalyst
Realty, the Old Louisville Holiday House Tour is one of the city’s premier
winter events attracting thousands of old-home aficionados to the streets of
America’s grandest Victorian neighborhood. To spread an early bit of yuletide
cheer in the middle of the summer, Santa’s helpers have planned a special
Christmas in July Ticket Sale!
Old Louisville Holiday House Tour $25 tickets will be offered at a special
discounted price of just $15 for two days only. The Christmas in July Ticket
Sale will take place on July 12th & 13th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm during the
15th
the discounted tickets look for the brightly decorated Christmas tree and
Christmas display in front of the
Everyone
who buys a Holiday House Tour ticket at the Garden Tour will be entered into a
prize drawing for a spectacular Old Louisville weekend-getaway gift basket
valued at well over $1,000. The prize package includes two passes to the 3rd
Annual Spirit Ball in October, tickets to the 5th Annual Victorian Ghost Walk,
and dinner for two at Amici’, Old Louisville’s favorite Italian restaurant. The
highlight of the basket will be a two-night stay at one of Herb and Gayle
Warren’s award-winning bed and breakfast establishments. Other goodies include
Michael Breeding’s Victorian Mansions of
Old Louisville DVD, autographed copies of Ghosts of Old Louisville and Phantoms
of Old Louisville, gift cards by Mark and Claudette Rego, and a selection of
Happy Balls!, the official candy of Old Louisville. Second and Third Place
Prizes will be given away as well.
According
to Diane Kleier and Joan Stewart, co-chairs of the Old Louisville Holiday House
Tour, winter pixies plan on making 2008’s festivities even more memorable than
last year’s. Patrons will enjoy various events designed to grow the celebration
into a memorable Victorian holiday festival. “We’re continuing the competition
for exterior entrance decorations with city floral designers showcasing their
talents,” says Kleier. “And as always, the beautiful 1895 Conrad-Caldwell House
on
will be featured as a star attraction. Christmas and Hanukah shoppers will find
great holiday gift ideas in the basement gift shop.”
In addition
to seven lovingly decorated homes in the heart of Old
house tour can also visit the public rooms of several Old Louisville Bed &
Breakfast hotels. The tour will include The Inn at the Park, the Central Park
Inn and the lovely DuPont Mansion, where the ghost of Uncle Alfred DuPont will
return for a spirited Christmas recitation of the timeless Ogden Nash poem
“Jabez Dawes: The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus.” Local author David Dominé
will be on hand to sign books, and hungry visitors will have the option of
relaxing at an elegant Victorian tea featuring local time-honored delicacies.
On December
6th & 7th from noon until 6:00 pm, fans of historic
architecture, Victoriana, and beautiful Christmas decorations can share the
opulence of magnificent mansions and quaint town homes that are normally off
limits to the general public.
