FISHERS, Ind. (Nov. 24, 2010) – What do the science lab, gingerbread structures, a candlelight journey and mouth-blown glass ornaments have in common? Holidays at Conner Prairie celebrations which begin Dec. 1 with many festive events including bringing historic and imaginary structures to life in Gingerbread Village; discovering holiday traditions of the past during Conner Prairie by Candlelight; a weekend autograph session with White House Christmas decorator and ornament designer Bill Hixson; and a free community day, Holiday on the Prairie.

Gingerbread Village
More than 35 professional and amateur gingerbread creations are on display in Conner Prairie’s welcome center from Dec. 1- Jan. 2. Guests can meet the Gingerbread Man and taste gingerbread recipes from the pages of a 19th century cookbook. New to this year’s Gingerbread Village:
•    Historic structures have been brought to life including the Conner Estate, one of Indiana’s first brick homes, in a scaled, edible version;
•    Activities in the science lab will give guests the chance to discover their scaled-down size as a miniature stick puppet, draw-a-snowflake kaleidoscope and spin the dreidel, participate in a scavenger hunt, investigate Polar Opposites and Spicy Scents and view a display from the Museum of Miniatures Houses in Carmel; and,
•    Guests can vote for the People’s Choice award for best gingerbread structure, adding it to several new prize categories this year, such as the President’s Award that Conner Prairie’s President and CEO, Ellen M. Rosenthal, awarded to the structure that best represented the spirit of its creation.
Admission is $5 per person (free for members). Admission includes access to Discovery Station, Conner Prairie’s indoor play and learning area for young children. Gingerbread Village is open Tuesdays – Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The exhibit is closed Mondays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Conner Prairie by Candlelight
On Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, Conner Prairie by Candlelight will takes guests on a journey back to Dec. 24, 1836 where Prairietown residents are preparing for the holidays. Guests will visit Prairietown homes in a family-friendly, 60-minute guided tour that will culminate with a holiday party at the Campbell’s home. Tickets are $14 for adults ($12 for members) and $12 for youth ($10 for members). Guests may also complete their evening with a holiday style candlelight buffet in Conner Prairie’s Overlook Room. For under $30, the buffet includes holiday favorites such as roasted pork loins, mashed potatoes, corn bread, bread pudding and apple pie. Reservations are required for Conner Prairie by Candlelight and Candlelight buffet. Please call 317.776.6000 or visit connerprairie.org for reservations or additional information.

Bill Hixson’s Holiday Designs
Bill Hixson, a.k.a. Mr. Christmas, will be visiting Conner Prairie Dec. 4 and 5. Hixson will be available a meet and greet. Guests can view and choose to hear stories about his collection of mouth-blown, painted glass ornaments from Europe. In addition to signing select ornaments for guests, Hixson will also share his experiences as a White House Christmas decorator for the past 30 years.

Holiday on the Prairie
As part of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association’s 12 Free Days of Christmas, Conner Prairie will be open to the public Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free of charge. The day will include an opportunity for guests to stroll through a portion of the outdoor 1836 Prairietown, where they can help residents prepare for the holidays ahead and take care of winter tasks the 19th century way. Guests can also experience a wonderland of remarkable gingerbread creations, visit with a Victorian era Santa Claus, enjoy a theatrical presentation, participate in ‘Hoosiers Helping Heroes’ by creating a holiday card for soldiers, craft a holiday decoration to take home and explore in the Science Lab. Lunch will be available for purchase in the welcome center, along with hot cocoa, and other holiday sweets.

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Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate and a 2010 Institute of Museum and Library Services National medal award recipient. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore four themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage. This exhibit educates guests about Indiana’s aviation history and culminates with a voyage 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Visit connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 for admission dates, times and ticket prices. Connect with Conner Prairie on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/connerprairie, Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/people/connerprairie/, YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie and Twitter at http://twitter.com/connerprairie/.
 
Media Contact: Alpha Garrett, Public Relations Manager
(office) 317.214.4732, (cell) 317.607.4483, garrett@connerprairie.org