Mississippi first lady Deborah Bryant will serve as honorary chair of the inaugural Christmas at Beauvoir, an 1889-themed holiday celebration to be held 5 to 9 p.m. each Thursday through Sunday, beginning Nov. 9 and continuing through Jan. 6.
Beauvoir is the historic last home of American statesman Jefferson Davis.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the First Annual Christmas at Beauvoir," Bryant said in a press release. "Don't miss this unique opportunity to visit Beauvoir in a 'different light.' Bring your family and friends and let the Christmas memories begin."
Costumed carolers
Christmas at Beauvoir opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 9, with carolers, storytellers, actors and musicians in 1889-period dress entertaining visitors as they take a train tour of the grounds among the lights of the 100 live oak trees and stroll through Jefferson Davis' home decorated in 1889 fashion, according to the press release. Father Christmas will be on hand for photos with children in a carriage from 1890 and families can enjoy crafts, games and activities from the time period. Admission prices are $20 for adults; $12 for seniors, military and children ages 5-15; and children under 5 are free.
Opening the holiday celebration is the Festival of Trees on Thursday, Nov. 8, an invitation-only cocktail party and silent auction featuring 100 3-foot Christmas trees decorated by local Mississippi Gulf Coast businesses and individuals. Plus, gingerbread houses created by local pastry chefs will be raffled off. At 7 p.m., Bryant will turn on thousands of white lights that adorn 100 live oak trees across the grounds.
The light display will continue through Sunday, Jan. 6, which is Twelfth Night. Reigning Gulf Coast Carnival Association King d'Iberville and Queen Ixolib will darken the lights and then parade to the Mardi Gras Museum to officially welcome the Mardi Gras season to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"This event is for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the state of Mississippi," said Andi Oustalet, chairwoman for Christmas at Beauvoir. "We want to positively impact tourism during the holiday season and create awareness across the country of the national treasure that is the beautiful Beauvoir property and grounds. Our goal is to grow Christmas at Beauvoir to compete with other major holiday light displays across the Gulf Coast and become one of USA Today's Top Ten Places to See Christmas Lights in the Country."
Jefferson Davis' great-great grandson Bertram Hayes-Davis serves as executive director of Beauvoir and The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library. He said Christmas at Beauvoir is part of a long-term plan for the property to make it a prominent attraction for Southern history and culture.
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