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Fort Massac State Park to host
Olde Tyme Christmas on Dec. 13, 2009
Enjoy the holiday season with a step back into history at the annual Fort Massac State Park Olde Tyme Christmas. The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at Illinois first state park in Metropolis, Illinois. The park staff and local historical re-enactors will welcome guests to the visitors’ center and museum, which will be festively decorated with items based on 17th and 18th century designs. Hot spiced tea will warm visitors as they step inside and sample homemade cookies.With the reproduction of an 1802 American fort as the backdrop, the Christmas holiday will be celebrated by a representation of the holidays throughout the history of Fort Massac. Re-enactors will be showcasing Christmas traditions of the French Colonial period, American Revolutionary, Lewis and Clark, War of 1812 and Civil War periods in the barracks and various other areas of the fort. Visitors will be able to experience what Christmas was like during these historical periods. And, the Olde Tyme Christmas would not be complete without some holiday music. The group, Heritage, will perform selections that were known to be favorites during Christmas seasons of the 1800s. The decorations at the park are prepared each year by Fort Massac staff and Friends of Fort Massac volunteers.Fort Massac State Park turned 100 years old in 2008 and is located alongside the Ohio River in southernmost Illinois. Metropolis is easily found just off Interstate 24 across the river from Paducah, Ky. Fort Massac is perhaps best known for its annual Ft. Massac Encampment held the third weekend of October each year.
For more information about this event, individuals may call Fort Massac State Park, 618-524-9321. Information about Metropolis attractions is also available by calling Metropolis Tourism, 877-424-5025, or visiting www.metropolistourism.com.
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Olde Tyme Christmas 
