By Daniel Human
Sometimes, Santa Claus can’t wait until Dec. 24.
He will arrive at the Howard County Historical Society’s Seiberling Mansion at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 and a countdown from 10 will begin. Once the crowd reaches zero, the mansion’s lights will click on, and the historical society will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas at the Seiberling.
Holly and garland will adorn the 30,000 artifacts inside the mansion while Victorian horse-drawn carriages trek around the luminary-lit Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood.
“It’s really a tradition in our community to kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the mansion,” said Kelly Karickhoff, the historical society’s executive director. “... I think people are looking for things to do that are closer to home and with their families. It’s just a great family opportunity.
“A lot of people come on a date. Last year, we had some high school students bring their girlfriends for a carriage ride. I thought that was really creative.”
The carriage rides cost $10 per person, but children 4 or younger ride free. Reserved, private rides for two cost $40. The rides last about 10 minutes.
Inside the house, families can tour the mansion, which the historical society will have decorated for Christmas. Musical ensembles from the area will perform, and the historical society is offering seasonal refreshments, including cookies and wassail.
Some inedible food will also be on display beginning Nov. 28.
Contestants can enter gingerbread houses for judging.
Entries are due between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday at Seiberling Mansion with a $10 fee. For more information about the contest, visit www.howardcountymuseum.org. Click on the “Events” tab, then on the “Gingerbread House Competition” link.
The mansion will also feature a family portrait day Dec. 6. Package prices range between $65 and $100.
The house will remain open through the holiday season. Hours of operation are 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults and $1 for children.
Businesses and other groups can reserve the mansion for luncheons and dinner parties, both of which include tours and other activities along with the meals, by calling 765-452-4314. Luncheons cost $20 per person and dinners are $30 per person.
All the money raised during the Seiberling’s holiday season events will go toward the historical society, Karickhoff said.
• Daniel Human is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He can be reached at 765-454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.
