PORT TOWNSEND — In keeping with Port Townsend’s Victorian seaport identity, downtown merchants have created a trip back in time for local holiday revelers.
The Gilded Age Yuletide Salon, from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 1007 Water St. (Flagship Landing), will feature readings of holiday books, kids’ activities and festive refreshments.
And as one would expect, the event will include a visit with Father Christmas.
Everything, aside from the food and drinks — eggnog, hot toddies and mulled wine — will be offered free of charge.
“This developed from a wish for there to be more things to do downtown during the holiday season and to extend the holiday fun,” Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen said of the salon.
“We had the Christmas tree-lighting during the first week of December, but there was room for more events.”
Mullen said visitors can stop at the salon before, during and after their downtown shopping excursions.
“This provides a respite,” she said.
“You can go shopping, come in and share holiday cheer — and then go out shopping again.”
The salon opens at 2 p.m. with a celebration and singing, followed by holiday carols at 3 p.m., parlor games and Victorian history at 3:30 p.m.
At 4 p.m., there will be lute carols with Nathan Barnett; at 4:30 p.m., holiday carols and a sing-along; at 5 p.m.,. storytelling with George Lathrop; at 6 p.m., tree decorating and games; and then at 7:30 p.m., a final toast.
The salon also will include bins to collect items for donation to Toys for Tots, the Center Valley Animal Rescue/Pet Food Bank and the Winter Homeless Shelter of Port Townsend.
The event also features a “people’s choice” holiday window contest in which members of the public are invited to vote for their favorite holiday window display in the uptown and downtown historic districts.
The salon, which Mullen hopes will become an annual event, is co-sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program and Olympic Peninsula Steam, which expects to sponsor its second annual Port Townsend Steampunk event in June.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
