NORTHUMBERLAND — Inside the Tavern is the “Heritage Arts Center” gift shoppe, where shoppers will find a large assortment of artisan-crafted gifts for sale, plus several artisans at work in their studios.
Upstairs, the Spinners & Weavers’ Studio will be open and guild members will demonstrate their skills. Downstairs, the Quilt Guild will be in residence in their studio. Ye Ol’ Bake Shoppe will be just outside the back door, offering delicious homemade cakes, candy, breads, pies and cookies, all made by the Tavern volunteers.
Children will have their own shopping area inside the “Tavern Meeting Building,” directly behind the Tavern. For the princely sum of $1 per gift, youngsters ages 4-12 will be able to buy gifts for all the members of their family. Tavern elves will help them select appropriate gifts and then wrap the gifts as well.
Because of current health restrictions, the children’s shopping will be by appointment only. Face masks will be required.
Outside on the Tavern Green, a variety of vendors will sell jewelry, knitted items, Christmas decorations and Whitley’s Gourmet Peanuts. Freshly-made decorative door swags and other holiday greenery will be for sale by Tavern volunteers. Shady Brook Farm Alpacas will have super warm alpaca-made products, and will bring an alpaca for children to pet. Garners Produce will sell winter produce.
A property that dates back to the late 1700s, the Tavern will be decked out for the season. Strolling carolers will serenade shoppers while they savor a free cup of hot mulled cider. Santa will wait inside the “Carriage House” to greet children and have pictures taken from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring a camera. Face masks are required.
The Blacksmith Guild will be hard at work in the forge. The Woodworking Guild will be in residence at their colonial era workshop at the “Carriage House.”
Members of the Antique Auto Club of America and the Northern Neck Corvette Club will cruise-in with their antique and classic cars. The Northumberland Public Library’s “Tech Mobile” will make an appearance.
The Tavern’s food concession will offer refreshments for the hungry. The menu will include breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, hot and cold beverages, plus sweets. For a leisurely sit-down lunch, visit the Tavern Cafe, where the volunteers of the Tavern Culinary Guild will serve homemade soups, fresh-baked breads, quiche, hot sandwiches and desserts.
And don’t leave without getting a free candy cane from one of the Tavern’s costumed docents.
All shoppers should wear face masks and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available at multiple locations.
