Photo TR: Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination

[cfc]

Colonial Williamsburg lit it up and blew it apart on Sunday, December 7, to kick off the area's Christmas season at the annual Grand Illumination. Over 35,000 people froze to death in the Historic Area, huddling around baskets of fire, sipping hot cider, and stepping gingerly over piles of horse crap (stupid carriage rides).

 

The Illumination is based on how the colonists used to celebrate the King's birthday back in the 18th century--setting off fireworks, placing candles in windows, catching curtains on fire, forming bucket brigades. What started out as a little local celebration, in which the Fife and Drum would march down Duke of Gloucester Street and call for people to light up their windows, eventually morphed into a major tourist event with fireworks at three locations: the Governor's Palace, the Powder Magazine (er, I wouldn't stand to close to that one), and the Colonial Capitol.

 

There were carolers, of course, and the Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps (celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year) performed--then CW proceeded to blow up the Historic Area 18th-century style!

 

The Grand Illumination is always held on the first Sunday in December. Here's a look at how Williamsburg celebrates Christmas.

Ooh! Ahh! That's more like it! Take that, stupid Colonial Capitol! More to come.

OK, we've seen the wreaths, heard the music, and stepped over the horse crap. Something better start blowin' up!

I wouldn't back up too far if I were you, pal.

"I say, we hearty, 18th-century types need not stand so close to the fire."

And to think I left the Hershey bars, graham crackers, and marshmellows in the car . . .

Yes, the festiveness of all these festivities have hearts aflutter.

How about some festive, edible Christmas decorations?

Look closely--there are over 35,000 people in this photo, at least one of whom is, no doubt, named "Waldo."

Nothing says "Christmas" like a bunch of guys and girls blowing fifes and pounding on skins.

There's even a very festive ambulance, just in case.

So, what does one see at the Grand Illumination? Hey, nothin's cooler than fire on a stick.

Hmm--not looking too festive yet.

So, off I go down the dark, twisty path that leads from CW's auxillary parking lot to the . . .

Hmm--by the looks of that hat, I'm going to either the Grand Illumination or a Packers game. Yes, it's a local law that the Illumination must be held on the first really cold night of the year.

[cfc]

More explosions, but no horse crap.

And, finally, a look at a Williamsburg Christmas to come. Happy Holidays!

"Grr! I am an angry Christmas demon! Look into the darkness of my gaping maw and see your doom!"

. . . and the little Christmas village.

The living room, the TV, the tree . . .

It was "Grand Illumination" time at Casa del Campbell, too.

"JOY TO THE WORLD . . ."

 

Ok, show's over.

The forecast calls for a 20% chance of flaming hail tonight, followed by partly cloudy skies and a 30% chance of frogs and locusts.

Whew! Looks like everything is OK. We now return to the Capitol's holiday orgasm, which is already in progress.

It's in flames! Oh, the humanity! The sky is raining flaming tricorner hats!

My god! The Capitol has taken a direct hit!

My, that's a big one. Note that these are "18th-century-style" fireworks. In other words, don't look for them to form, oh, pink bowties or Mickey Mouse or something.

Look! A Balrog! Or maybe it's just Hobbes from "Calvin and Hobbes."

I wonder if it would prefer to be alone.

Boy, I haven't seen the Capitol this excited in a long time.

[Erik Johnson]

I am happy to see that the Christmas village is back this year. Now you need to go visit the Yankee Candle shop for Christmas.

[the ghost]

Awesome pictures, I wish we had something like that in so cal, but its to dry for any kind of fires around here. We were nearly evacuated last year and had a fire day (not as cool as a snow day, but about as close as we get in so cal)

[TheRapidsNerd]

We now return to the Capitol's holiday orgasm, which is already in progress.

Nice!

 

Didn't even know they had this event other than the standard tours. Another good reason for winter visit. Glad you posted this.

 

Agreed with Erik, and hail the return of the inspiring Christmas Village. It got me interested in the both the ornaments with trains/similar, as well as the Halloween and Christmas pieces with trains, carousels, etc.

 

BTW, your "Chuck Decorates His Home...and cooks his lunch" thread was pretty entertaining. The newer among us might enjoy a link to it from this thread. Just a thought.

 

Cheers and well done.

[cfc]

I think it'll be pretty cool next year when BGE kicks off Christmas Time. CW and the park have been cooperating with each other more in recent years, and I think Christmas Town and the Grand Illumination will complement each other nicely. (The Illumination is free, by the way.)

 

CW does some Christmas concerts and tours, too--there's a big christmas banquet connected to the Illumination, but that costs an arm and a leg.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Nice! I bet the tours and the period clothing are very impressive, not to mention the apple cider and cocoa that might be around. Makes me want to tour that place in summer and winter.

[esvadj]

Great trip report. After seeing the weather forecast I decided to sit this one out.

 

It does always seem to fall on the coldest day of the year, it was last year or the year before it was so cold we left before the fireworks.

[65skylark]

The only thing that would have made that PTR any better is a trip to COSTCO.

 

Love the fake tree, Chuck! I spent years convincing Sandi we needed to by a fake tree. She finally caved a few years ago.

 

Great pictures! I loved Williamsburg last year when I visited. I really want to get back there with the Sandi and the kids.