"Families have made our Christmas event their family tradition," said Mark Zerr, executive director of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), when describing Christmas at Joanna, held at Historic Joanna Furnace. "It has become a very popular community event."

This year, HCVHA will present Christmas at Joanna on Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will feature a live Nativity, children's activities, a sale of food and beverages and a craft market.

Those who visit Christmas at Joanna will be able to see the historic site well in advance as they drive along Route 10, since more than 1,000 glowing luminarias will light the furnace walkways. The luminarias will be lit each evening by Boy Scout Troop 543, Plowville.

This year's Christmas at Joanna event will depict Christmas 1873, when the furnace was operated by the Smith family. During the event, the mule stable will be transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his wife, Ella Jane Grubb Smith. "This year, we will be doing a kitchen setting, where re-enactors will be preparing traditional holiday treats," noted Zerr. Guests are invited to interact with family members to learn more about the family and life in the iron furnace community.

Victorian dancing will take place in a heated tent. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will perform old-time music while the Hay Creek Dancers entertain visitors with period dances. Guests will be invited to participate.

Local musical groups will perform around the bonfire, which will be tended by members of Boy Scout Troop 241 of Alleghenyville.

Wagon rides will be offered, weather permitting. Youngsters can visit the Kids' Santa Craft Workshop and make a holiday craft or have their face painted inside one of the heated tents. Also included will be a Christmas light maze. A vintage train display will be in operation in the mechanical technology building.

The historic buildings will be open for visitors to explore. Live metal casting demonstrations will take place each evening in the casting house, where visitors will see aluminum Christmas stars being poured. The stars will be available for sale in the office/store.

Food items for sale will include sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pork barbecue macaroni bowls, soups, chili, homemade furnace fries and kettle corn.

The Christmas craft market will offer items such as baked goods, cookies and candy, handmade wood items, homemade soaps, stoneware pottery, hand-knitted scarves, jewelry, candles and fresh Christmas wreaths. "There are more than 50 vendors, which is an increase (from previous years)," Zerr said, noting that an extra heated tent has been added to accommodate craft vendors. Crafters will also be located outside in an open-air market.

Joanna Furnace is located at 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. Tickets for the event will be sold at the gate. Children age 12 and under will be admitted for free. For more information, visit http://www.haycreek.org or http://www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace or call 610-286-0388.