Date: November 27, 2015
INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE: Celebrate "Holiday Traditions in the Dunes" on Saturday, December 5, from 12:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m. at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Enjoy live holiday music, tour two historic homes all decked out in their holiday finest, let the kids make an ornament, and even get a free taste of some traditional holiday treats. You don't even have to get chilled thanks to a free shuttle bus that runs between Chellberg Farm and the Bailly Homestead.
Tour the Chellberg farmhouse and learn all about the Christmas customs brought to this area by Swedish settlers. Volunteers, in traditional dress, will share the legends of Jul Tomte (Santa) and Santa Lucia as you enjoy the holiday decorations. In the kitchen, warmup near the woodstove while you savor a Swedish Christmas cookie and see a display of a typical holiday feast.
Walk the trail or take a free shuttle to the Bailly Homestead, a National Historic Landmark, to discover the French-Canadian holiday customs that may have been practiced by pioneer Joseph Bailly and his family. Listen to traditional stories and songs in the homestead, see a traditional food display and get a taste of Yule Log cake. At the fur cabin, learn about the winter activities of the fur traders and warm up with some hot apple cider.
Explore modern holiday traditions all afternoon at either the park's Visitor Center or Paul H. Douglas Center. You can let the kids settle down a bit by making some traditional holiday decorations at either center. While you're at the visitor center, look for some gift ideas at the Eastern National Bookstore. At the Paul H. Douglas Center, you can also stretch your legs a bit on the beautiful Miller Woods Trail and then warm up with some free hot chocolate and snacks.
For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact our information desk at 219- 395-1882.
