OJAC to host family festival Dec. 18

By Sam Waller

The Old Jail Art Center has been promoting  Christmas spirit with an artistic flair this month, starting with free marionette shows earlier this week and continuing with the family festival on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Family Festival

“Posadas” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Mexico on Saturday, Dec. 18.

The event, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., is the last of several special family festivals held during the year.

“We’ll have traditional games, crafts, and food from Mexican Christmas celebrations,” OJAC director of education Erin Whitmore said. “Depending on weather, it will either be on the grounds or in the Stasney Center inside.

The festival is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Puppet Shows

Charlie Rose and Dan Peeler, master puppeteers from Peeler-Rose Productions, presented their annual holiday marionette shows on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Whitmore said the shows have a Christmas or winter theme with each year being different.

“They change up their sets, performances, and marionettes each year,” she said. “They do tend to bring out a couple of favorites the kids look forward to.”

Whitmore added that the puppeteers have installed an exhibit of their puppets in the Stasney Center for a retrospective of all their marionettes.

The exhibit opened today and runs through the end of January.

 “People can bring their families during the holidays or they can come in January and see it,” Whitmore said.

Holiday Hours

The Old Jail will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Normal operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.