The community is invited to celebrate the holidays as they were observed in 1875 during the 25th annual Christmas at Joanna event being presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. Activities will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, from 4 to 9 p.m.

According to Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director, 1875 was a prosperous time not only for the country, but for the ironmaster's family and the residents of the Joanna Furnace community as well. "They celebrated the holiday and gave thanks that the furnace was busy providing income to so many families," he stated. "Plus, the ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his wife, Ella Jane Grubb Smith, just welcomed their third child."

During Christmas at Joanna, the site's mule stable will be transformed into the Victorian mansion of the Smiths. The candlelit parlor will feature a freshly cut Christmas tree, and Smith family re-enactors will be busy in the kitchen making cookies and holiday treats. Other HCVHA historians will be playing games and reminiscing about past Christmases by the fireplace. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community. 

"Each of the guests who visit the ironmaster's mansion will be treated with a homemade cookie," noted Zerr. "We have Hay Creek volunteers that made over 100 dozen cookies so far."

Victorian dancing will take place at the event in a large, heated tent. On an outside stage in front of a large bonfire, the Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will perform various old-time music while the Hay Creek Dancers will entertain visitors with period dances. Guests will also be invited to step onto the dance floor and participate.

The Belsnickel, a fur-clad Christmas figure who rewards well-behaved children, will make an appearance at the bonfire to visit with children and give out treats.

Traditional wagon rides will be offered, as well as a new Christmas express ride. "We are going to be running our Apple Barrel Express ride at Christmas," noted Zerr. "The little kids can get on, and it will circle around the site across the pathways. We will also have a Christmas light maze, a multicolored light maze that kids and families can stroll through and figure out to get from the start to the end."

The historic buildings will be open for visitors to explore, and more than 1,000 luminarias will light the furnace walkways.

Homemade foods served throughout the event will include sausage and pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a pork barbecue macaroni bowl, soups, chili and homemade furnace fries. Beverages will include hot chocolate, hot mulled cider and coffee. Freshly made apple crisp, kettle corn and roasted nuts will also be available to purchase.

MCC (Moving Communizes to Christ) Church will present a live Nativity. "There will be three different stations that tell the story," Zerr noted. "At the first station, you are greeted by an angel."

The Christmas Craft Market will offer items such as baked goods, cookies and candy, assorted holiday decor items, crafts and handmade wood items. "We have heated craft tents, plus we have an open-air Christmas market that is filled with vendors," Zerr added. "It's a great way to pick up things for holiday gift-giving."

Visitors will also have an opportunity to win gift baskets with certificates donated by area businesses and vendors at the Christmas market.

An admission fee will be charged for adults. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free. There will be free on-site parking. All proceeds will benefit the HCVHA, which supports the restoration and preservation of Historic Joanna Furnace, as well as the Tri-County Heritage Library.

For additional information, visit www.haycreek.org or www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace or call 610-286-0388.