Chippokes Plantation State Park's annual Plantation Christmas event is cancelled for 2011.
Unfortunately, economic woes have impacted Plantation Christmas event. Only 25 artisan crafters out of the usual 100+ had signed up as of last week and the event organizers, pointing to the economic downturn, have decided to cancel the event that was scheduled for October 28-30, 2011.
While some might say it would be easy to recurit new craft booths, this event is special in that all the crafters and artisans are vetted to have genuine handworked products and many of the crafters are required to demonstrate their skills as well as wear period costume. Event organizers simply do not have the time to recruit or review that manynew crafter and artisan applicants.
However, Chippokes Plantation State Park staff have decided to continue the Christmas tradition and schedule special Christmas-themed activities including mansion tours, hearth cooking, and children's game. The Jones-Stewart Mansion will be decked out for the holidays and makes a beautiful backdrop for your holiday cards!
While the weekend won't be quite as full of festivities, you should still bring the family out for some good old-fashioned fun!
LOCATION: Surry County. From I-95 and I-295, take Route 10 towards Hopewell. Follow Route 10 East for approximately 40 miles to Surry. Turn left at the intersection of routes 10 and 31 (this continues on Route 10). Turn right at the stop light. Turn left at Route 634 (Alliance Road), and the park entrance is four miles on the left.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia: 2 – 3 hours; Richmond: 1.5 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach: 1.5 hours; Roanoke: 4 hours
Click here for a Google map. Latitude, 37.137369. Longitude, -76.727691.