Christmas of Yesteryear set for Dec. 1 in Hope

HOPE – The ghosts of northeast Bartholomew County will come alive again during Hope’s annual ‘Christmas of Yesteryear’.

The holiday celebration presented by the Yellow Trail Museum will take place in the Hope Town Square from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1.

Town residents who portray individuals important to the town’s history have been moved around in recent years, event spokeswoman and museum director Jessica Deckard said.

For several years, historical characters like Hope founder Martin Hauser (portrayed by the pastor of the Hope Moravian Church) would be stationed at various locations west of Main Street. As a carriage carrying several visitors approached, a ‘ghost’ would step out from the shadows in a non-threatening way to describe his or her own life or contribution.

But the horses would occasionally buck and put passengers in danger, Deckard said. In addition, the cost of renting the horses and carriage went up beyond what the museum could afford, she said.

When the historical characters were placed at the bandstand last year, organizers saw that only families and friends of the actors showed up to hear the characters’ story, Deckard said.

“We decided to go to a location where there would already be people,” Deckard said. “We want an audience.”

So this year, the actors will be placed where actors should be: on a stage. The characters will come to life at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. inside Willow Leaves, located on the north side of the square.

Another change from last year will be the reinstatement of the punch card system, Deckard said. Every person who gets their card punched at each participating business will be eligible for a drawing for a grand prize at the conclusion of the evening, Deckard said.

Participating businesses include:

• Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St.
• Gold Nugget Pawn Shop, 344 Jackson St.
• D’s Variety Store, 317 Washington St.
• Dandelion Boutique, 601 Harrison St.
• Yellow Trail Museum and Visitors Information Center, 644 Hope St.

The Hope Town Council has given organizers permission to have a donkey, sheep and goats at a living nativity in the shelter house. However, the animals will have to be tethered and kept out of the reach of young children, council president Ohmer Miller said.

While “Christmas of Yesteryear” had earlier been held before Thanksgiving, Deckard said the decision to move the holiday celebration to the first Friday in December reflects the town’s desire to keep up their “Living Heroes” banners saluting local veterans through the month of November.

“Christmas of Yesteryear”, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Hope Town Square

5-8 pm. – Bake Sale, cookie decorating and crafts for kids at the Museum. Downtown merchants open

5:15 pm – Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Yellow Trail Museum on the northwest corner of the town square.

6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Christmas of Yesteryear historic character performance on the stage at Willow Leaves.

6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Live Nativity at the shelterhouse.