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Christmas at the Castle
December 7, 2024 @ 12:00 pm – December 8, 2024 @ 4:00 pm
Free Admission AT Christmas at the Castle 2024 to Honor North Kingstown’s 350 Anniversary
This year the Christmas at the Smith’s Castle Committee is collaborating with the 350th Committee and HistWick to celebrate the anniversary year of the founding of Kings Towne by the Colonial government. In commemoration of that anniversary, admission to the event will be free to the public.
The Castle has been a partner in history with North Kingstown from the very beginning of the Colony. In 1674, Kings Towne contained much of the old “Narragansett Country,” including large parcels of land owned by the Smith family and its descendants, the Updikes. After King Philip’s War, Richard Smith’s grandson, Lodowick Updike, laid out the Village of Wickford adjacent to Cocumscussoc and promoted the sale of house plots there. This year displays at the event will feature more information relating to North Kingstown’s history.
Christmas at the Castle 2024 (December 7th and 8th, 12-4 pm) continues a holiday tradition of over 50 years. With natural decorations, colonial attire, entertainment, and special activities, the Castle provides an enjoyable, family-centered pre-holiday experience of colonial life.
Hourly entertainment includes: Wheeler School Handbell Ringers; Brown University Madrigal Singers; Mark Burnham (harpsichord/keyboard) and Rebecca Silliman (flute); Storytime with Miss Julia (for the younger set); Root Cellar (old time music); Ladies of the Greene (colonial fashion show); Tim Cranston (NK historian); John Rufo (mandolin) and Mark Armstrong (classical guitar). This entertainment is made possible by a generous grant from the North Kingstown Arts Council and a donation from Southeast New England (SENE) Film, Music, and Arts. Further information about our entertainers and a schedule of their appearances is available on our website.
The children will be able to enjoy crafts, gingerbread cookie decorating, colonial games (some outdoors, weather permitting), colonial crafts demonstrations, hand-painting by Cynthia, a scavenger hunt, and Father Christmas. For our Christmas shoppers, there is a Christmas Bazaar including handmade crafts and gently used Christmas items, a bake sale, a raffle of themed gift baskets, and vendors.
Smith’s Castle, a National Historical Site, is located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown. Watch our website at https://www.smithscastle.org/events for updates, further information, and the entertainment schedule.
KEY INFORMATION:
EVENT: Christmas at the Castle 2024: It Started Here: Honoring North Kingstown’s 350th Anniversary
WHEN: December 7th & 8th, 2024; Noon-4 pm
WHERE: Smith’s Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852
WHAT: Pre-holiday event offering entertainment and activities with a colonial flavor for adults and children.
COST: FREE Admission. This covers all entertainment and activities.
CONTACT: Marilyn Harris (401) 481-2530; Smith’s Castle Office: (401) 294-3521
Website: https://www.smithscastle.org