While the Christmas at Joanna celebration gives visitors a chance to enjoy holiday shopping and music, sample seasonal foods and beverages and warm up by the bonfire, the event is also an opportunity to learn about the traditions and history of the local iron furnace complex.

The Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA) will present Christmas at Joanna on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. During the event, visitors will be transported back to 1872, when the furnace was owned and operated by the Smith family.

"We always (celebrate) 150 years from what year we currently are in," explained Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director. "Basically, the 1870s were the most prosperous times at Joanna Furnace." According to Zerr, the Smith family was operating Joanna Furnace during this time period, as well as Isabella Furnace in Elverson.

During the event, the Joanna Furnace mule stable will be transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his wife, Ella Jane Grubb Smith, who are holding a holiday party. Zerr noted that every effort is made to make the celebration as authentic as possible. For example, visitors may notice the antique English Staffordshire china on the dining room table. The china is on loan from Gary Kurtz of Elverson.

The historic site's buildings will also be open for touring. More than 1,000 glowing luminarias will light the walkways between the buildings. The luminarias will be lit each evening by volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 543, Plowville.

New this year, live metal casting demonstrations will take place each evening in the casting house, where visitors will see aluminum Christmas stars being poured. These limited-edition stars will be for sale in the office/store building.

Also featured will be Victorian dancing, a live Nativity presented by Moving Communities to Christ (MCC) Church each evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m., traditional wagon rides around the complex, a Kids' Santa Craft Workshop, face painting, arts and crafts and a children's light maze. Local musical groups will perform around the bonfire, which will be tended by members of Boy Scout Troop 241 of Plowville.

Homemade foods offered for sale will include sausage sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, kettle corn, grilled chicken sandwiches, soups, chili and homemade "furnace fries." New this year will be a pork barbecue and macaroni bowl and holiday cupcakes offered for sale by Troop 543G of Plowville.

The Christmas craft market will offer items such as baked goods, candy, holiday decor, homemade soaps, stoneware pottery, hand-knit scarves, jewelry, candles and fresh Christmas wreaths. "This year, we added a second heated tent (for the crafts)," Zerr noted.

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 http://www.haycreek.org or http://www.facebook.com/historicjoannafurnace or call 610-286-0388.