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Come together with family and friends for a morning of merrymaking and good cheer at the third annual Open House with Father Christmas Saturday, December 12, 2009, at Mount Hope Estate & Winery from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. Take in the Mansion’s glorious decorations and enjoy the start of the long awaited holiday season.

In a three-day decorating extravaganza, the Town & Country Garden Club of Lancaster transforms Mount Hope Mansion within and without into a Christmas wonderland. The Mansion shimmers with Holiday magic from with the gigantic wreath hung over the golden knocker on the front door, to the extensive lengths of evergreen boughs, gilded fruits, glowing candles and twinkling lights adorning the many mantles. Nine opulent Christmas trees, the largest of which stands at an impressive 12 feet, are bedecked in silk roses, garlands of pearls, feathered birds and other Victorian ornaments.

Father Christmas can think of no better place to hear the Christmas wishes of the good boys and girls. He will then pose for holiday portraits and hand out gift bags stuffed with goodies he brought especially for the occasion. Children can join in a holiday craft to make a tree ornament for their tree at home while their parents enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, assorted cookies and learn a bit about the rich history of the 209-year old Mansion.

Combine the Open House With a Sumptuous Brunch

Begin, or complete, your festive sojourn at Mount Hope with a scrumptious Holiday Brunch served buffet style in the cozy Swashbuckler Pub, adjacent to the Mansion. The menu is filled with delicious delicacies including Scrambled Eggs, Vegetable Strata, Seafood Tart, Belgian Waffles, Sweet Roll French Toast, Maple Sausage, Crispy Bacon and more!

Open House With Father Christmas is Saturday, December 12. Walk-through times begin at 9 A.M. and end at 11:30 A.M. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 11 and under. Capacity is limited for each walk-through time so advanced tickets are recommended. The Mansion closes promptly at noon to prepare for “A Dickens of a Christmas” theatrical event.

The Holiday Brunch is Saturday, December 12. Admission is $14.95 per adult and $7.95 per child. Seating times are 9:15, 10:30, 11 and 12:15 P.M.

Tickets for both events can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 717.665.7021, ext. 231, Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. or by visiting the Virtual Box Office at www.parenfaire.com. Mount Hope Estate & Winery, placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Government, is located on Route 72, ½ mile south of PA Turnpike exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.

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Good boys and girls can share their gift list and pose for portraits with Father Christmas amidst the splendor of Victorian Mount Hope Mansion dressed in her holiday finery at the Holiday Open House, December 12 from 9AM to 12PM. Guests can also enjoy a tour of the 209-year-old mansion that leads to caroling and hot chocolate by the fireplace.

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Look back to a Victorian Christmas at Mount Hope Estate's Holiday Open House, December 12 from 9AM to 12PM, where guests can tour the first floor of the 209-year-old mansion bedecked in holiday finery and experience the joy of the season by sipping cocoa and eating cookies by the fireplace.

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Father Christmas has stopped by the Mount Hope Estate Mansion for the Holiday Open House, December 12 from 9AM-12PM. This merry morning includes a special holiday tour of Mount Hope Mansion festively trimmed for the Christmas season, Victorian caroling, cookies and cocoa by the fire, and of course children can visit with Father Christmas to tell him their holiday wishes.

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