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Tuesday, May 4

3rd Annual Jane Austen Festival, July 10 & 11 at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY

The 3rd Annual Jane Austen Festival will take place July 10 & 11, 2010 at beautiful Historic Locust Grove located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY (www.locustgrove.org)

Inside the Visitors’ Center a Regency Emporium will feature booths with beautiful silk shawls, fabric, bonnets, jewelry, antiquarian books, and you can even have your silhouette cut! There will also be a fantastic Silent Auction with Jane Austen books, movie memorabilia and tea themed baskets and much more. The four-course Afternoon Tea will take place each day as well and is $20 per person.

“The Shoppes of “Meryton” include five new vendors who will participate in tents outside: Taylor Rose Historical Outfitters, Bells Mill Clothiers, Marquette Trading Company, Spencer’s Mercantile and Kentucky Fine Tea Ware.

The log and stone buildings on the grounds will host the Regency men’s club called the “Hellfire Club”, as well as 19th Century physician. Common Stock Entertainment will entertain young and old alike with shadow puppets, old-fashioned, kid-friendly peep shows, and other 18th century entertainments.

A couple opportunities for workshops include How to make a Tussie Mussie (a hand-held nosegay) $15 per person and Silk Ribbon and Surface Embroidery to make a Reticule. $25 per person. (complete descriptions at the end of press release)

Featured author this year is Kim Wilson, member of the Jane Austen Society in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She will speak about her books, “In the Garden with Jane Austen” and “Tea with Jane Austen”. Her talk, repeated both days will take place outside under a tent at 11 a.m. where she will sign and sell her books.

Other talks and demonstrations to be held under the tent include “Dressing Mr. Darcy” and the ever-popular Regency Style show. While a display of Regency fashion will be located in the Grand Parlor in the house all day both days.

Also, Ed Maedor, the creator of the fabulous bonnets worn in the new PBS documentary about Dolley Madison will speak each day and will have the bonnets with him!

The Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) was founded in July of 2007. They meet monthly at Historic Locust Grove. The Jane Austen Festival has become a very successful event with 1,000 attending from 15 states in 2009. For information about JASNA, visit www.jasna.org and to purchase tickets for workshops, the ball, afternoon tea and admission, visit www.jasnalouisville.com or call 502-239-8521, 502-417-9150.

More to come about the event in the next few weeks.

Photo credit of the couple: Laura Edwards. Thank you for the permission.

6 comments:

Alexa Adams said...

I attended last year and it was wondeful! I especially enjoyed the demonstration on men's attire, the fashion show (the clothes were magnificent!), and the shadow puppet show. My in-laws live only twenty minutes from Locust Grove (which has a proper ha-ha, the first I ever saw), and I hope to go again this year. Louisville is a wonderful town with a gorgeous Victorian district and a world renowned theater (Actors), so there is lots to do for those who want to make the trip. Just beware the heat, as it is formidable in Kentucky in July, especially for those brave souls in costume. Thanks for the post!

Katy said...

Oh how fun! I wish I lived near this! :)

Nonna said...

I sure wish I lived near enough to go...but why JULY ??? Regency costumes just don't mix with the wicked hot, oppressive heat that time of year and I would want to dress up if I attended !

Jami said...

I just talked a friend into going with me! I am very excited! How long in advance should you get the tickets, do you think? Is this a huge thing, or is it more intimate? I am coming from Nashville, so I want to definitely be prepared. Very excited! Would love to meet fellow enthusiasts! But, really, who doesn't love Jane Austen? And "Dressing Mr. Darcy" sounds great! :)

ChaChaneen said...

Oh I am so jealous of all you ladies who are going! Please take pictures, make a few memories and return to share it all with us! Have a great time!

Bonny Wise said...

Hi
Well there are a couple reasons this event is in July. #1 the schedule at Locust Grove is very full and the other it is the best time to get the 1812 reenactors to attend.

I would say that 75% of attendees do dress in Regency attire. Last year the weather was a delightful mid-70's but that is not typical!

The good news is that the Regency Emporium and the tea are held in the Visitor's Center which is air conditioned.

I cannot emphasize enough that you need to make reservations asap as tea, ball and workshops all sold out last year before the festival began! www.jasnalouisville.com

Hope to see you July 10 & 11!
Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator
Greater Louisville JASNA