News

Call for Participants: Victorian Day 2012

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:44:41 -0500

Victorian Day 2012 planning is underway, and we’d love your help!

Do you have ideas, a skill or craft, or a performance piece you’d like to share at this year’s event? Our Planning Committee is excited to hear about it!

We have some exciting new ideas on the table this year, and we’re looking for participants and sponsors for individual events as well as the festival as a whole.

Our presenters, re-enactors, and sponsors are the beating heart of Victorian Day, and we really can’t do it without you.

To sign up as a demonstrator, displayer, or merchant, please fill out our
2012 Participant Application

To become a festival sponsor, please fill out our
2012 Sponsorship Form

We’re also actively seeking volunteers for several planned activities, including:
★ Singers for a Gilbert & Sullivan Sing-a-Long
★ Contact Ms. Catherine Smith at 517.488.8010

★ Equestrians, carriage/cart owners, cyclists, and parade walkers
★ Contact Mrs. Marilyn Smith at marilyn@victoriandays.org or 517.627.9843

★ Civil War re-enactment groups
★ Contact Mrs. Sylvania Dye at sylvania@victoriandays.org or 517.316.6694, or Mrs. Marilyn Smith at marilyn@victoriandays.org or 517.627.9843

★ Antique automobile owners or club members (“horseless carriage era,” no later than 1910)
★ Contact Ms. Katie Rambo at katie@victoriandays.org

Thank you!

Your Victorian Day Planning Committee

Thank you for another successful Victorian Day!

Sun, 8 May 2011 21:28:06 -0400

Victorian Day 2011 was a fantastic day, with a great crowd, wonderful presenters, demonstrators, and re-enactors, and perfect weather. We’d like to thank everyone who participated and attended this year’s event, and we hope you all enjoyed the day as much as we did!

The children had loads of fun flying kites, playing Victorian games, and having tea with their teddy bears. High Tea was a delicious time with great friends, new and old. The demonstrations in Maypole Park and at the Bridge Street Wedding Chapel were entertaining and enlightening. The Moustache Contest included very impressive entrants - the winners are posted here. Hundreds enjoyed the Civil War encampments, demonstrations, and skirmish. The quilt show was a wonderful exhibition of talent and artistry. The pie contest and auction was tasty and fun.

A huge “thank you” goes out to our sponsors - without them, we would not be able to hold this wonderful event. Help us say thank you by stopping by their websites or in person.

Whether or not you were able to come this year, we’d love to hear your feedback. Please fill out our survey - your comments and ideas will help us to make next year’s event even better!

We hope to see you again next year.

To stay informed as we plan for next year, we hope you will:
★ Follow us on Twitter
★ Follow us on Facebook, and
★ Subscribe to our RSS feed

Thank you for another great year!

The Victorian Days Planning Committee
Marilyn Smith, Chair and Coordinator
Sylvania Dye, Web and Moustache Contest
Katie Rambo, Secretary and Publicity
Julie Larson, Printing and Design
Shatzie Lee
Roxann Mills
Jeni Hellum
Nathan Rabe

Release your tiny inner quilter!

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:48:43 -0400

Ever wonder if you have a tiny quilter inside, just yearning to get out? Tucked behind Sweet Linda’s Café is a shiny gem called Sew Creative, where Roxann Mills uses her creative talent to inspire you and transform your home. Pop by on Victorian Day to release your inner quilter in a fun, friendly, and safe environment!

This is the perfect introduction to quilting - experts will be on hand to answer your questions, and you can find out if you’re a quilter at heart without an investment in equipment and materials.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to learn what Sew Creative & Pins ‘n Needles can do for your home. Specializing in slipcovers, Sew Creative offers a variety of sewing services for your home, including alterations, pillows, cushions, affordable window treatments, and even custom decorating. By using what you already have, a room is transformed with new fabric, paint, and a little elbow grease.

You can stop by any time from 10:30am to 5pm to try out quilting and chat with like-minded creative people. If you have questions in advance, call Roxann Mills at 517.285.2864 or email millsr2001@yahoo.com.

Corsetry 101: Your most comfortable corset ever

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:27:15 -0400

On Victorian Day at noon, I’ll be giving a presentation on Victorian dress in the late 1800s, which the wonderful folks at the Bridge Street Wedding Chapel are graciously hosting.
In the meantime, I thought I’d post a series on corsetry. The corset is the foundation of the Victorian silhouette, and it’s rather difficult to achieve the 1860s through 1880s look without one.

As I mentioned last time while debunking corset myths, a properly fitted corset is actually quite comfortable and supportive. Whether you plan to make or buy a corset, the first thing you’ll need is an accurate set of measurements.

Corset Mythbusting

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:57:10 -0400

On Victorian Day at noon, I’ll be giving a presentation on Victorian dress in the late 1800s, which the wonderful folks at the Bridge Street Wedding Chapel are graciously hosting.
In the meantime, I thought I’d post a series on corset construction. I’m making a new one this year (been doing this for a bit over 10 years now), and I’ve been taking lots of pictures so that I can show you how, too.

First off, let’s debunk a couple of myths.

Myth 1: Corsets are tight, restrictive, painful, and you can’t breathe in them.
You remember that scene from the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, right? The one where Ms. Swann’s maid repeatedly pulls very sharply and firmly, lacing her corset as tightly as possible in order to make her mistress fit into the latest fashion from Paris? She later faints from the tight lacing and falls into the ocean, only regaining consciousness when Jack Sparrow cuts the lacing on her corset.

Fact: Properly fitted, a corset is comfortable, supportive, and you can breathe just fine.
The key words there are “properly fitted.” While wasp-waistedness did indeed become fashionable toward the end of the 19th century, for the majority of the Victorian era and in the majority of places, tight lacing was not a rampant scourge. Even in photos, though, what often looks like a very tiny waist isn’t actually so tiny - a large bustle creates that illusion by being much larger by comparison.
The most important thing is to wear a corset that is made just for you, and don’t lace it too tightly. If you can’t take a deep breath, it’s too tight. Someone else’s corset can get you by in a pinch - as long as you’re about the same size and body type as she - but for the long-term, invest in your own, properly fitted and well-constructed corset. You’ll find that not only is it quite comfortable, but you get great back support, and it even improves your posture!

Myth 2: Victorian women were supposed to have 16 inch waists!
Remember Gone with the Wind? Scarlett O’Hara claimed that her “normal” waist was 16 inches. (She also claimed 16 yards of curtain fabric would make a hoop dress, which is roughly double what it would actually take. Maybe she’s just obsessed with the number 16.)

Fact: Victorian women were as varied in size as we are now.
Victorian women weren’t routinely forcing their waist size to some arbitrary number, just as they aren’t today. In fact, the Victorian “ideal” was just as unattainable a fantasy as the modern “ideal” we see on the fashion runways and in high fashion magazines. Nobody looks like that in real life - at least, nobody we know - and we still manage to get on with things. When you hear about the “Victorian 16 (or 17 or 18) inch waist,” you’re hearing about that fashion runway or hollywood actress ideal, not the actual size of real-life women.
(The photo at right is Émilie Marie Bouchaud, stage name Polaire, who was a French actress famous for her 13 or 14 inch waist.)

Myth 3: Forcing yourself into a tight corset is dangerous and can hurt you.
Your organs are forced to move, your lungs become constricted, and you can even fracture your ribs.

Fact: This one is actually true.
Tight-lacing is dangerous, especially over long periods. Never try to suddenly force yourself more than a couple of inches smaller, especially when you’re first learning to wear a corset. Over time, you’ll learn the tolerances of your own body, you’ll have a corset made to fit you (or you’ll make one yourself), and you’ll have the experience to know how much hourglassing you can safely do.
If this is your first time wearing a corset, make sure to prepare yourself for the experience. Don’t wait until festival morning, then cinch yourself down and expect to last all day in the heat and crowds. Wear your corset around the house for at least a couple of weeks beforehand. Do some chores in it, eat dinner in it. Get used to wearing it while doing all your normal things. You don’t want to find out that it pinches when you bend over midway through festival day when you can’t do anything about it.

Next up: Corsetry 101: How to measure yourself and choose materials for your most comfortable corset ever.

From here to Victorian (on the cheap)

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 22:49:39 -0400

Want to dress up for Victorian Day but don’t have the resources to go all out? Here are some simple ways to get a great 19th century look, quickly and cheaply.

For women, a simple late Victorian/early Edwardian costume

This look is pretty easy to achieve with inexpensive items that you may already have.

To approximate the look, you’ll need:

✓ Loose-fitting white blouse with a collar. No need to be fancy; a plain blouse is fine.
✓ Ankle-length skirt (not fitted). Any colour will do, but darker colours work better.
✓ Boots or any sort of shoes, except sandals, sneakers, or cowboy boots.
✓ Optional: straw hat (the kind with a flat brim; not cowboy-style)

To finish off your outfit, wear your hair up or pulled back into a bun. Women of this era rarely wore their hair down in public, except for evening affairs.

If you don’t already have these pieces in your closet, check out your local second-hand or thrift store. They’re often a great place to find inexpensive costume pieces.

For men, an easy casual Victorian outfit

Men’s everyday wear in the 1800s was very much like today’s formal wear. Pretty much any suit will do, but be sure to wear a bow tie or ascot - not a modern styled tie.

Don’t have - or prefer not to wear - an entire suit? No problem. It’s easy to pull off the casual look with a few pieces.

What you’ll need:

✓ Light-coloured button-down shirt.
✓ Bow tie (clip-on is fine)
✓ Suspenders
✓ Dark-coloured slacks
✓ Almost any shoes, except sandals, sneakers, or cowboy boots. Would your grandpa have worn them? If so, they’re perfect.
✓ Optional: bowler or top hat.

A moustache adds the perfect final touch. Facial hair was extremely popular in the 19th century - the ladies loved a good ‘stache.

(And while you’re at it, why not enter our 3rd Annual Moustache Contest? Any style and length is welcome!)

Shopping for outfits or accessories

Want to go a bit farther without making things from scratch? There are lots of websites that sell reproduction clothing and accessories.

Here are a few of our favourites:

The Gentlemen’s Emporium: Reproduction clothing and accessories for men.
The Ladies’ Emporium: Same as previous, for women.
Bustledress.com: Antique and reproduction Victorian clothing.
Blanche’s Place: Historic clothing and accessories.
The Dressmaker’s Shop: Local reproduction costume & fabric shop in Leslie, MI.
River Junction Trade Co.: Reproduction clothing and accessories.

The Civil War after dark

Sun, 3 Apr 2011 21:06:19 -0400

Ever wonder what goes on in the Civil War encampments after dark? This year, for a mere $1 per person, you can find out.

At dusk (8pm) on Victorian Day, the 4th Michigan, 7th Michigan, 22nd Michigan, 8th Arkansas, and 12th South Carolina Infantries will host a Candlelight Tour of the Civil War encampments on the Island.

You’ll have to take the tour to find out what happens, but I’ve heard rumours of possible Courts Martial and other interesting goings-on, and I’m sure you won’t regret sticking around to learn their secrets.

Entry is $1 per person, with children under 12 free.

Time to get your special pie recipe ready!

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:59:00 -0400

We love pie. We love to bake pie, and we especially love to eat pie. Cherry pie, apple pie, rhubarb pie, key lime pie - any kind of pie. And we’ll bet you like pie, too. So, what could be more perfect to kick off spring than a pie contest and auction?

There’s a little over one month left to perfect your special pie recipe (or to sweet-talk your grandmother into revealing hers).

Any kind of pie is welcome - for both the contest and the auction. The grand prize pie, which will be chosen by a panel of actual, bona fide judges, will win $25. After the contest, all pies will go up for auction.

Won’t you join us for tea?

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:23:18 -0400

This is one of my favourite parts of Victorian Day. Tea, exquisite finger sandwiches, wonderful sweets and tarts, friendly company, and some of the most beautiful classical guitar I’ve ever heard... I look forward to High Tea all year.

The ladies of the Block clan do such a fine job arranging, preparing, and presenting High Tea, making this an event not to be missed. And Mr. Russell Nebelung’s performance on classical guitar is positively swoon-worthy.

We’re also thrilled to be able to host Tea once again at the Grand Ledge Opera House, overlooking beautiful gardens and the Grand River.

Clean out your attic or shed & sell your finds!

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:17:21 -0400

During Victorian Day, May 7, we’ll be host to a unique opportunity to sell your garden antiques & accessories and let someone else do the work!

For a mere 10% consignment fee, you can bring your finds to Maypole Park and we’ll do the selling while you enjoy the events of the day.

Here’s how it works:
1. Call 517.285.2864 to register in advance
2. Bring your items at 8am, May 7, to Maypole Park
3. Relax and enjoy the day

Consignment fees benefit Victorian Day and the Grand Ledge Historical Society.

More information can be found on our Garden Sale & Plant Exchange page.

Teddy Bear Tea is accepting reservations

Wed, 9 Mar 2011 09:09:14 -0500

Our annual Teddy Bear Tea is a delightful activity for the little ones - boys and girls alike. They get to dress up in their “Sunday Best” and bring their favourite stuffed friend to a very special tea, complete with tables just their size and floral centrepieces, just like the grown-ups would have.

This is a very popular event, so reservations are a must.

To reserve a seat for your special little one, call Ledge Craft Lane at 517.627.9843.

More information on the event, as well as photos from previous events, see our Teddy Bear Tea page.

Thank you, A&W!

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 07:52:57 -0500

... and thank you to everyone who came to A&W on Monday for our spaghetti dinner fundraiser. We were very happy to see you and we greatly appreciate your contributions to the Victorian Day event!

We are very grateful to A&W for hosting this event for us! The money that they raised for us hosting this fundraiser is instrumental in allowing us to have this wonderful event here in Grand Ledge.

A&W will also be providing our food concessions in Maypole Park during the event.

Google map directions for A&W Restaurant

Have dinner with us tonight!

Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:54:20 -0500

Tonight, March 7, A&W Restaurant in Grand Ledge will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support this year’s Victorian Day event.

A couple of your committee members will be at the door to greet you. We’ll have more information on the event, too.

Every spaghetti dinner helps, so bring the whole family!

Google map directions for A&W Restaurant

Gentlemen, start your moustaches!

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:30:04 -0500

We’ve ironed out most of the details of our 3rd Annual Moustache Contest, which will be held at Victorian Day, May 7, at 4pm.
More details, including prize categories, are on the Moustache Contest page.

This year’s contest features cash and other fabulous prizes, and any length or style of whiskers are eligible. Our judges panel, The Committee of Proper Victorian Ladies for the Advancement of the Inspiring and Gentlemanly Moustache, are excitedly awaiting the date!

Theres still time to grow your fabulous ‘stache (if you haven’t already).

Here are a few links for inspiration (more on the Moustache Contest page):

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on March 7

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:57:20 -0500

A&W Restaurant in Grand Ledge will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on March 7 to support Victorian Day. Part the proceeds from every spaghetti dinner on that day will go toward our event.

At least two (and maybe more) Victorian-attired ladies will be at the door to greet you.

Every spaghetti dinner helps, , so bring the whole family!

Google map directions for A&W Restaurant