Hormel Historic Home hosts 26th annual Holiday Open House

Guarded from the bitter cold, singers, sightseers and festive folks reveled in the holiday spirit inside the majestic walls of the Hormel Historic Home on Saturday afternoon.

In the banquet halls, visitors enjoyed tea and desserts amidst the elegant setting. Christmas carols echoed throughout the halls. In a somber state, tucked in the corner next to a tree, a cloaked Charles Dickens — or just Gordy Handeland — read from the pages of “A Christmas Carol” in firm, deep tone.

It was the 26th annual Home for the Holidays Friday and Saturday, along with Holiday English tea. With a profound British accent, Pam Waters greeted visitors just inside the big, wooden doors. She was just one of the many tokens at the event.

While the open house has for years featured elegant decorations in the Christmas spirit, this year’s scene was a little more lively.

“I wanted it to be more of an event,” said HHH Executive Director Holly Johnson.

Visitors could tour the home, listen to choral groups such as Second Edition and the Austinaires, or relax and enjoy authentic, English high tea and desserts. Two guests came all the way from the Twin Cities just to check it out.

“I was just always curious to find out what the Hormel Historic Home was,” said Dennis Peters, from Bloomington. He and his good friend Dawn Larson sampled the various teas in the banquet room after touring the entire home.

Peters said he found out about the event in the Minnesota Explorer publication.

“I think it’s absolutely beautiful,” Larson added.

While the event draws people from outside of Austin into the Home, Johnson hoped more locals would enjoy the tour this year. And they did, including those such as Sylvia Goodwin and her daughters, Deb Goodew and Kim Corkill, who made a “ladies’ only” day out of the event.

“We really wanted to bring in the local people today because a lot of people forget that we are even here,” Johnson said.

The home was bustling right after the event started at 1 p.m. Saturday. Soon, the banquet hall was packed, and people brushed shoulders as they moved from room to room.

The two-day event ended late Saturday afternoon, but there is more to come this season at HHH. The Michael Veldman preshow dinner will be Dec. 13. Tickets are available through the Paramount Theatre, www.paramount theatre.org, 507-434-0934.