Burnaby Village Museum celebrates Christmas
By Adam Tatelman, Staff Writer
The Burnaby Village Museum, a replica village from the early 1920âs populated by actors in period dress and actual 100-year-old heritage houses, is known for its yearly Christmas celebrations. From now until December 11, gate admission is free, allowing any and all to enjoy the sights and sounds of vintage Burnaby life around the holidays. Thereâs a lot to do in the old town, so feel free to use this article as your handy guide to the best attractions.
Scavenger Hunt: A great way to tour the village. All guests are invited to search the village for images from the lyrics to âThe Twelve Days of Christmas.â Many of these are eco-sculptures; think of the Lords-a-Leaping or Ladies Dancing as hedge art accentuated with recycled metal bits and youâll get the idea. Some of these are hidden more creatively than others; the Calling Birds, for example, are routinely missed on the hunt. But if you can find them all, you can submit your free Scavenger Hunt card at the end of your visit for a chance to win a prize.
The Vintage Carousel: Carousel rides are always a fun way to spend the day with your children or younger siblings. Every wooden horse has a unique design and history, which you can read about on a new touch-screen display. Rides are $2.55 a pop.
Heritage Houses: For the historically inclined, the Museum staff is always willing to lead you on a tour of the Heritage property. Elworth House contains a âhome for the holidaysâ evening wear display, which vintage fashion fans will appreciate. The rest of the village is made of replicas, not actual heritage buildings, but the level of historical detail is truly astounding. Everything from the drug store to the bank feels like it time-warped here straight from the â20s.
Performers: There are many actors in the village, some of whom wander the streets in search of folks to entertain. There is a gingerbread clown with a gift for baking puns, a blacksmith who teaches the lost artâs history while making horseshoes and fire pokers, and, of course, Father Christmas makes an appearance for photo-ops with the kids. The live entertainment is lots of fun, and thereâs always something new to see as the day goes on.
‘Sherlock Holmesâ Christmas Goose’: The village has made a long-running tradition out of Christmas plays, and Sherlock Holmesâ Christmas Goose is a laugh and a half. The cast sees Douglas College acting program alumni Levi Williams (and yours truly) joining forces with local actor Gavin LeClaire to bring the cast to life every weekend. Performances are 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until December 11. Admission is by donation, no matter how small, but feel free to let your generous spirit show this Christmas season.
I think the meaning of Christmas has been lost in recent generations. No, Iâm not talking about the idea of âGiftmas Seasonâ or the dumb controversy surrounding Starbucksâ coffee cups. Somewhere along the way, people decided that Christmas is the one day a year we should give a damn about our fellow human beings, rather than a reward for being kind year-round. If you want to get back in touch with the sense of community and fellowship that the Christmas season can bring to people, the Burnaby Village Museum is a great place to return to the roots of the holiday.
