Come and enjoy the 19th Annual Festival of Lights, held at the Braddock Trail Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Warden Mansion, 200 South Church Street, Mount Pleasant, PA.

This National Award winning event received First Place in the American Heritage Cultural Events contest sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

To promote the theme, Hospitality through the Ages, Braddock Trail members decorated the Warden Mansion for the 2007 Festival to reflect the hospitality and traditions of a Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg. The pineapple, the symbol of Linda Gist Calvin, President General of the National Society, was prominently displayed throughout the house.

The 2008 Festival of Lights will feature Christmas Around the World. Each room will be decorated in a different country theme. Countries featured will be America, Mexico, Italy, Poland, Germany, Scotland and Ireland. Once again the Braddock Trail members have loaned their ornaments and decorations to help create this Christmas Season.

Touring this 122 year-old mansion which is on the National Register of Historic Places, you will have the opportunity to see approximately 35 Christmas trees, choose your favorite tree, enjoy refreshments, daily door prizes, and purchase a ticket in the raffle room.

Trees are decorated by individuals, organizations and businesses. The trees are then donated back to the project and put on display. We provide the tree and lights and you use your imagination.

All trees are available for purchase throughout the event. There are also trees that will be raffled with the drawing for winners at the conclusion of the last day of the event. Purchased trees may be picked up at the close of the event.

The Warden Mansion was built in 1886 by Margaret and Samuel Warden. This 12-room, high-ceilinged Victorian mansion features large halls, original furnishings, and a genealogical library. Everyone enjoys the original portrait of Margaret Warden, whose eyes seem to follow you wherever you may be standing in the room.

This self guide tour takes about 45 minutes, but you can stay as long as you would like.

There are hostesses who can answer all of your questions.

Dates and Times for 2008
Festival of Lights
View trees decorated and donated by local businesses and citizens in the Historic 1886 Victorian home built by Samuel Warden.

November 28 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM GALA OPENING NIGHT (BY INVITATION ONLY)
November 29-30 1:30 PM - 9:00 PM
December 4 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
December 5-6 1:30 PM - 9:00 PM
December 7 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM
Purchased trees can be picked up Sunday, Dec. 7 between 5 & 6 pm.

Contact Rosalind Ashmun at 724-423-3275 for information regarding trees for sale or to view a specific tree in person.

LINKS
Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce
Recent website article on Festival of Lights at "Great Places in Westmoreland County"