JASNA Greater Louisville Region to Hold Jane Austen Festival

Look who's celebrating their one year anniversary! The Greater Louisville Region Chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America. This year, this chapter will hold its

2nd Annual Jane Austen Festival,
July 18 & 19 - 2009

The 2nd Annual Jane Austen Festival will again take place at beautiful, Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Kentucky, a circa 1790 National Historic Landmark on 55 park like acres.

Like last year, the Regency Emporium will feature booths with beautiful silk shawls, fabric, bonnets, custom made jewelry, antiquarian books, and you can even have your shadow cut! There will also be a fantastic Silent Auction with Jane Austen movie memorabilia, tea themed baskets, and our special Austen theme bracelets, brooches & earrings for sale.

Also, the fabulous Regency Style Show featuring hand sewn clothes by Betsy Bashore will be back. New this year, a Period Sewing Techniques class by historic re-enactor Kathleen Kannik. Two classes, Beginner & Intermediate will be offered to learn running stitch, back stitch, combination stitch, hemming, rolled hems, whipped stitch hems, whipped gathers & singleton buttons. Each class is $25. Registration required.

Also back by popular demand-Afternoon Tea! Served each day on the hour, a four course tea in our quaint tea room. Chicken salad on petite croissant, a stacked sandwich with Benedictine and pimiento cheese spread, petite quiche and scones with jam and then a fantastic selection of homemade cakes! Tea this year will be from the Harney Tea Co and will also be sold by the bag in the JASNA booth.

Featured author this year is Margaret Sullivan, editrix of AustenBlog and author of THE JANE AUSTEN HANDBOOK. She will speak each day, “Five Things a Janeite Heroine (or Hero) Needs to Know”, and her book will be available to purchase and for Margaret to sign.

New this year-a shoemaker demonstrating in one of the log cabins and the Mantua Maker & Daughter (seamstresses) will be in another building on the grounds with garments for sale. Common Stock , a company that specializes in historical entertainment, will provide authentic entertainment both days such as Old English Fairy tales portrayed by shadow puppets, raree shows and more.

A Grand Ball is being planned in conjunction with the local English Country Dance Society on July 18th. A lovely promenade before the ball with everyone in costume is also being planned. Check back for more details.

Admission to the event, which includes a walk-through tour of Historic Locust Grove (www.locustgrove.org) is $6. Afternoon Tea is $25 which includes admission and requires a reservation. Event hours are 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day.

To make inquiries, reservations, etc, email Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator for the Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America at wises4@insightbb.com or call 502-727-3917.

Check the photo gallery for pictures from the 2008 Jane Austen Festival.

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World