Friday, November 8, 2013
Christmas is alive in Southern Maryland December 6-8. Ten nonprofit sites have joined together to form The Charles County Holiday Trail.
Venues featured include the Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the Charles County Fair – the area's first outdoor Christmas market, the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum, Mount Carmel Monastery, Historic Mount Aventine, Friendship House, the Smallwood Retreat House, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, the Port Tobacco Courthouse, the African American Heritage Society, and Mattawoman Creek Art Center.
For more information, visit www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com.
December 6th 4 pm – 9 pm / December 7th 9 am – 9 pm Kick off the holiday season at the region's first outdoor Christmas market. Modeled after the famous the Christmas markets in Germany, the Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the Charles County Fair has something for everyone: living nativity, fresh greens, food, music, arts, and plenty of shopping. The official tree lighting is scheduled for 5:30 pm on Friday, December 6th. For cookie contest information and more details about the event, visit us online. 8440 Fairgrounds Road; La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-1234 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com. Admission one non-perishable food item or one dollar to benefit the Southern Maryland Food Bank.
December 7th 10 am – 4 pm On December 7th, historic Friendship House will open its doors to visitors. Decorated for the holidays, this site (circa 1740) is one of the best surviving examples of early Tidewater architecture. The house is located on the grounds of the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata campus near parking lot six. Stop in for a tour and holiday treats. 8730 Mitchell Road; La Plata, MD 20646; 301-934-2999 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com Donations welcomed.
December 7th 10 am – 4 pm Settled in 1634, Port Tobacco was once Maryland's second largest seaport and listed on early world maps. Please join us this holiday season at the Port Tobacco Courthouse for light refreshments and learn more about the facts and legends of Port Tobacco, including one of Maryland's oldest ghost stories: The Blue Dog Legend. Chapel Point Road; Port Tobacco Village, MD 20677; (301) 934-4313 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com. Donations welcomed.
December 7th 1 pm – 7 pm Colonial Christmas is alive at the Smallwood Retreat House in Smallwood State Park. Tour General Smallwood's house decorated for the holidays, learn about cooking in Colonial times, and visit with costumed interpreters around the fire while enjoying holiday treats. 2750 Sweden Point Rd; Marbury, MD 20658 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com. Donations welcomed.
December 7th and 8th 9 am – 6pm Visit the Mount Carmel Monastery in Port Tobacco and welcome in the holiday season. Located near the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata campus, visitors are encouraged to tour this oasis. Friends of the monastery will be on hand to assist with gift shop purchases and to answer any questions. 5678 Mount Carmel Road; La Plata, MD 20646-3625 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com.
December 7th 10 am – 7 pm / December 8th 10 am – 4 pm Thomas Stone National Historic Site, also known as Haberdeventure, was the original home of Thomas Stone, a Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence. The site is open this weekend for visitors to enjoy the house decorated for the holidays, On Saturday, December 7th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, the park will host a candlelight tour through the restored Haberdeventure conducted by costumed staff who will discuss the life of the Stone family during the midst of revolution. 6655 Rose Hill Road; Port Tobacco, MD 20677; 301-392-1776. www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com Donations welcomed.
December 7th 10 am – 4 pm |December 8th 1 pm – 4 pm Join the African American Heritage Society in La Plata for Heritage Christmas. There is something for everyone during this celebration. Enjoy holiday treats and explore the county's largest collection of African American memorabilia and vintage kitchenware and appliances. Please bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Southern Maryland Food Bank. 7485 Crain Highway; La Plata, MD 20646; 301-609-9099 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com.
December 7th and 8th 11 am – 4 pm If you are looking for something original to give for the holidays, look no farther than the annual holiday salon at the Mattawoman Creek Art Center inside Smallwood State Park. Decorated for the holidays, the Art Center offers hundreds of unique handmade items. In addition to items for sale, on December 8th the Center will host several demonstrations. Stop by for cookies, browsing, and shopping. 2750 Sweden Point Road; Marbury, MD 20658; (301) 743-5159 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com Donations welcomed.
December 7th and 8th 11 am – 4 pm The sounds of season are alive at Mount Aventine at Chapman State Park this weekend. Visitors are invited to tour the grounds and enjoy holiday treats in the house which is decorated for the holidays. Special performances are scheduled throughout the two-day event: December 7th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm "Rosewood" Recorder Duo, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm McDonough Renaissance Madrigal Choir, December 8th 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Good Samaritan Handbell Choir. 3452 Ferry Place; Indian Head, MD 20640 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com. Suggested donation $5 per car.
December 7th and 8th 11 am – 8 pm The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum welcomes visitors to its 12th annual Victorian Christmas celebration. Visit the house fully decorated for the holidays, explore the farm museum and other outbuildings, and enjoy treats from a large selection of holiday goodies. 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road; Waldorf, MD 20601; 301-274-9358 www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com. Adults $8. Children $2.