The Holly & The Ivy Holiday Homes Tour
and Candlelight at Tryon Palace
New Bern, North Carolina
A Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 14, 2024
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“The Holly and The Ivy” provides an opportunity to see the interiors of six homes decorated for the holidays in the historic district of New Bern. As you visit these beautiful homes and three places of worship, ten musical groups will provide entertainment on the porches with holiday music. New Bern Woman’s Club docents will provide guided tours inside these charming properties. At the special “Sugar Plum Treats House”, homemade cookies and hot apple cider will be served. This year, Holly and Ivy will be featuring “Christmas on the River”. This beautiful house overlooks the Neuse River and is just across the bridge from New Bern. See pictures of all the houses on their website here as they plan to continue posting them until it is time for the tour!
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Candlelight is Tryon Palace’s famed holiday event showcasing the beautifully decorated Governor’s Mansion illuminated by the magical glow of candlelight. As you travel from one decorated room to another within the Palace, fabulously costumed interpreters present an engaging story that relates back to the Palace’s colonial history.
Join us for a day of Christmas celebration!
Give the gift of travel to friends and family this Christmas - bring them along!
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Saturday, December 14, 2024
7:45 AM: Begin boarding the motor coach at Winter Park Baptist Church parking lot.*
8:00 AM: Motorcoach rolls towards New Bern. Let the holiday festivities begin!
10:00 AM: Rest stop at Visitors Center.
10:30 AM: First stop on the homes tour, "Christmas on the River", Bridgeton.
11:15 AM: Lunch at Captain Ratty's, downtown New Bern.
12:30 PM: Continue The Holly and The Ivy Holiday Homes tour.
4:30 PM: Arrive at Candlelight 2024, Tryon Palace.
Enjoy all the festivities before you tour the Palace. Your Palace tour time is indicated on your ticket – but plan time before, or after, to enjoy all of what Candlelight has to offer. Food will be available to purchase from several food trucks located outside the Palace gates, or within the Palace gates, at Mistletoe Corner where you can indulge in delicious sweets, snacks, and beverages. Behind the Commission House, where Santa resides, grab a warmed cider and a ginger snap, compliments of Mr. Claus! For adult libations, plan a stop at the King’s Arms Tavern. Candlelight is a holiday tradition!
7:00 PM: Re-enter reality and relax as your motor coach takes you back to Wilmington with new and old friends.
9:00 PM: Approximate time of Wilmington arrival.
COST: $245 per person, including motor coach travel, tickets to both events, and lunch including gratuity.
PAYMENT DUE: November 1, 2024 or ASAP
WRITE CHECK TO: Natural & Family Resources, Inc.
MAIL CHECK WITH REGISTRATION FORM TO: 6451 Quail Run Road, Wilmington, NC 28409
DRESS: You are invited to wear your Christmas attire! And as always, layered clothing for the weather expected on that day.
SUGGESTED GRATUITY: Motorcoach driver: $5.00 per person
*A departure/return site is planned for the BACK parking lot at Winter Park Baptist Church. The church is located at 4700 Wrightsville Avenue and has a tall white steeple. The BACK of the church is on Park Avenue where there is no street number. The parking lot that we will use is a pie-shaped property between Park Avenue and Pine Grove Drive. This lot is also across the street from Pine Grove Office Park and The Wesley Memorial Activity Center. You will see vehicles marked Winter Park Baptist Church parked on the lot and most likely the charter motor coach will be in place when you arrive. You may leave your car there for the day, but parking is at your own risk.
