Barnum Holiday Fest
and
Gingerbread Contest
1PM to 3PM
During the Christmas season in Connecticut, you don't have to look far to find the cherished aspects of the holiday, from one-of-a-kind ornaments and baked goods to spectacular light displays and classic colonial houses draped in snow. Bringing it all together is
A Connecticut Christmas, a full color celebration of the spirit of Christmas in a quintessentially New England state. Ms. Smith has told the stories of the people and places of Connecticut for two decades and in the book she highlights the many joyful things to see and do during the holidays. She profiles some of the remarkable people who make the holiday season brighter for visitors and Connecticut residents alike.
The event begins at 1PM with a talk by Diane Smith, an Emmy-award winning television and radio journalist and author of the new book,
A Connecticut Christmas. Following her talk Smith will sign autographs for anyone interested in purchasing the book for themselves, or as a holiday gift.
From 1:30PM to 3PM children of all ages will be able to learn about the traditions associated with and create crafts representative of the following winter holidays: Jewish Chanukauh, African Kwanzaa, American Christmas and Mexican Las Posadas. Victorian Christmas décor will surround guests in the People’s United Bank Gallery as they warm their spirit by sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies donated by Stew Leonard’s of Norwalk.
Guests will be able to wander among and examine David Millen’s creative, cirque themed sculpture exhibit,
Celebrating the Spirit of P.T. Barnum! Energy, Balance, Vitality. The exhibition features nearly 20 of his metal and clay pieces which range in size from 40” tall to life size figures. This display will only be up through January 2nd. Visitors also will be able to find fabulous Connecticut, Barnum and circus themed gifts in the shop. On December 11th from 10AM to 4:30PM Barnum Museum members will receive a 25% discount on their entire gift shop purchase (your purchase helps support the museum).
Children need to plan ahead to participate in the third annual create a Gingerbread Village contest. For contest rules see below, visit
www.barnum-museum.org or call Jaime Knoedler at (203) 331-1104 ext.102 for more details, but to qualify and be on display for the event, all entries must be delivered before 1PM on Saturday, December 11th. There is no cost to enter and the winner of the Gingerbread contest will receive a family 4-pack of tickets to see the Opening Night, January 12, 2011, 7PM performance of
Disney On Ice® presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey at Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The runner up will receive a special gift bag filled with goodies from the Barnum Museum. The announcement of the Gingerbread creation winner and one runner up will take place at 2:30PM during the event. Winners do not need to be present to win and will be notified by phone or e-mail.
From 1PM to 3PM, the New York Life Insurance Company will offer their popular, safe and secure child identification program at no charge. Parents will fill out a form for their children and will walk away with a one sheet print out and a number of wallet sized versions to use as needed with friends, family, babysitters and more (Protecting families is at the core of New York Life’s mission, so they are delighted to provide the service).
Gingerbread contest Rules: Gingerbread creations should be delivered prior to 1PM on Saturday December 11th, entries will not be accepted past 1PM so they may be placed on display for the rest of the year as part of one fantastic Gingerbread village! Only children 12 and under are encouraged to enter, all entries must be made up of edible materials, the Barnum Museum is not responsible for damage to any tasty entries, and those wishing to have their creations returned, must pick them up during normal museum hours by January 9, 2011. Working from a gingerbread kit is fine. Visit your craft store or search on line to find suggestions.
What: Barnum Holiday Fest and Gingerbread Contest, including a presentation by Diane Smith about her newest book, A Connecticut Christmas. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at $16.95 along with many other unique holiday gift ideas in the museum shop.
Where:
The Barnum Museum
820 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
When:
Saturday, December 11th from 1PM - 3PM
Cost:
Program Admission: Adults and Seniors: $5, Children 4-7: $2, Under 4: Free
*Barnum Museum members are Free and Barnum Kids Club Members are Free
For more information:
and/or call 203-331-1104, ext. 102.
Regular museum hours:
Wednesdays – Saturdays 10AM – 4:30PM
Sundays noon – 4:30PM
Last admission at 3:45PM
Keep up to date with all the family-friendly fun - Like The Barnum Museum on
Facebook.
Visit with Santa and celebrate the holiday season!
All you have to do is refer someone to join (you must be present when they join), and you will receive $20 and a raffle ticket for the drawing.
Plan on visiting the colorful, dramatic photo presentation "Bats 101". You will see images of bats from tiny pups to adulthood. Join in and meet DEP and USFW Wildlife Rehabilitator and Falls Village, CT resident Linda Bowen. She will share her knowledge and experience regarding this much maligned species, so be prepared to have your "bat questions" answered.
During the Christmas season in Connecticut, you don't have to look far to find the cherished aspects of the holiday, from one-of-a-kind ornaments and baked goods to spectacular light displays and classic colonial houses draped in snow. Bringing it all together is A Connecticut Christmas, a full color celebration of the spirit of Christmas in a quintessentially New England state. Ms. Smith has told the stories of the people and places of Connecticut for two decades and in the book she highlights the many joyful things to see and do during the holidays. She profiles some of the remarkable people who make the holiday season brighter for visitors and Connecticut residents alike.
Children need to plan ahead to participate in the third annual create a Gingerbread Village contest. For contest rules see below, visit www.barnum-museum.org or call Jaime Knoedler at (203) 331-1104 ext.102 for more details, but to qualify and be on display for the event, all entries must be delivered before 1PM on Saturday, December 11th. There is no cost to enter and the winner of the Gingerbread contest will receive a family 4-pack of tickets to see the Opening Night, January 12, 2011, 7PM performance of Disney On Ice® presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey at Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The runner up will receive a special gift bag filled with goodies from the Barnum Museum. The announcement of the Gingerbread creation winner and one runner up will take place at 2:30PM during the event. Winners do not need to be present to win and will be notified by phone or e-mail.
The Wilton Historical Society’s 13th annual Great Trains exhibit features a range of makes, models and gauges of model trains rolling around curves, passing familiar local and scenic landscapes and rushing through mountain passes. Each model landscape is intricately designed by the Society’s "Trainmen" with each detail carefully crafted for all to enjoy.
