The magic of the festive season will be evident at an afternoon devoted to The Nutcracker story at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
The museum’s annual Christmas Festival takes place Dec. 13 from 1 to 5pm.
This year’s event marks the opening of the Christmas Nutcracker exhibit, the personal collection of Wellington County collector, Virginia Rescorla.
“I never thought I would one day have a large collection of toy nutcrackers,” Rescorla said in a press release.
“I have always loved The Nutcracker story, the ballet and the music since my childhood in the 1950s. It is the design and style of the nutcracker that would capture my heart and that is why I collect them.”
In conjunction with the exhibit, there will be a door prize draw; four tickets to see the Dec. 22 Nutcracker ballet at the River Run Centre and four tickets to the Dec. 28 Nutcracker at Centre in the Square, Kitchener.
In addition there is also the chance to win signed ballet slippers belonging to the principal ballerina from Ballet Jorgen. The impressive collection of Nutcrackers will be on display until January.
Entertainment for the afternoon includes musical selections from local artist Madison Galloway and vocal ensemble Ondine Chorus from Guelph. The Ondine Chorus will perform traditional seasonal music accompanied by harp and double bass.
The afternoon would not be complete without the participation of the Fergus Elora Academy of Dance, performing selections from the Nutcracker ballet itself.
As part of its Christmas tradition, the dance academy has requested visitors bring donations for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
There will be a room full of Christmas crafts and decorations all with a Nutcracker theme. At 3:30pm Santa will make an appearance.
Cookies and refreshments will be available for tasting in the sun room.
Christmas Festival admission is by donation and the Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road 18, between Fergus and Elora.
