Visitors to historic downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma will step back into the Victorian era during the annual Territorial Christmas Celebration starting November 27 and running through December 23, 2009.

“There is no other event in Oklahoma like Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas celebration,” Guthrie Chamber of Commerce President Mary Coffin said.  “The town transforms from the 21st Century to the 19th Century. We’ll have candlelight trolley rides, carolers, peanut vendors and over sixty decorated store windows depicting Victorian Guthrie.  Throughout the month, we’ll also have a variety of entertainment including the popular Pollard Theatre presentation of A Territorial Christmas Carol: An Oklahoma Tradition.”

An all-time best seller, A Territorial Christmas Carol continues to dazzle audiences and play to sold-out houses into its twenty-second year. Adapted by gifted Oklahoma playwright, Stephen P. Scott, this version of Charles Dickens' classic tale of redemption and brotherly love is set in Guthrie in the days of the Oklahoma Land Run.

“This production sells out every year!” Pollard Theatre Managing Director Van French said.  “If you want to see this production, you need to buy your tickets early!”

Tickets range in price from $15-22 and can be purchased online at www.thepollard.org or by calling (405) 282-2800.

Other Territorial Christmas celebration activities include the Territorial Homes Tour on December 12, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wassail Nights on December 12 & 19, 2009; the Journey to Bethlehem, December 5th from 4p.m. – 8p.m. a depiction of the journey taken by Mary and Joseph with live actors and animals; plus various concerts at the Double Stop Fiddle Shop.

As an added bonus this year, Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer train will extend its rail service into Guthrie for three special days during the celebration.

“We are especially excited that Amtrak is allowing the Heartland Flyer to travel a little further north so visitors throughout Texas and Oklahoma can enjoy the wonder and history of our Territorial Christmas Celebration,” Coffin said.

On December 10-12, 2009, the Heartland Flyer will leave Fort Worth, Texas, but instead of making a final stop in Oklahoma City, the train will continue north into Guthrie.  The train will depart Guthrie the mornings of December 11-13, 2009 and continue its normal trip into Oklahoma City and then south to Ft. Worth.

Rail passengers arriving in Guthrie will be greeted with a Christmas-themed party complete with music and local residents dressed in period attire.  Transportation will be provided between the train depot and nearby inns and hotels. During daytime hours, visitors can enjoy historic museums, unique shopping and local restaurants, as well as Territorial Christmas events.
Heartland Flyer tickets are currently priced $7 per person for one-way travel from OKC into Guthrie.  For complete information, please call (800) USA RAIL or log onto www.amtrak.com.

In addition, for more information about the Territorial Christmas Celebration please contact the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce at (405) 282-1947; (800) 299-1889 or visit www.guthrieok.com.

A program of classical and popular Christmas favorites by the Oklahoma Choral Artists, John Blackwell, conductor, assisted by the Del City High School Del Aires; the Edmond Youth Chorus; Jill Justice, harpist and Joel McClung, bagpipes. All seats are $5 with all proceeds going to benefit the Mid-Del Food Pantry.  A Family Christmas Concert will be held in the Del City High School Auditorium located at 1900 s. Sunnylane Road Del City, OK.  More information is available at 405-751-1392.

Dr. Kevin Pruiett, trumpet, and Michael Dean, piano, will present a recital in Yarborough Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at okbu.edu

Students auditioned and were selected to perform with a full orchestra.  The performance will be held in Raley Chapel on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at okbu.edu

Dr. Louima Lilite, one of the voice professors, will present a recital in Yarborough Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at okbu.edu

Dr. Carol Ann Bell and Mrs. Sandra Meyer will present a two-piano recital in honor of Digby Bell in Yarborough Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at www.okbu.edu

Josh Night, percussion, will present a recital in Yarborough Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at okbu.edu

Dr. Debbie Blue is a faculty member at OBU. Her husband, James, has cancer and Sigma Alpha Iota is presenting a recital to raise money for his treatment. Proceeds, if not needed for the Blues, will go towards a cancer society of their choice.  The concert will be held in Yarborough Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at okbu.edu.

The Heartland New Day Bookfest is an event to celebrate authors and illustrators and to promote literacy.  At this time, we are asking local authors, illustrators and publishing houses to be a part of this new event in Edmond, OK on April 9,10, 2010.  The book festival is also sponsoring essay contests for elementary, middle, and high school students.  The website is www.hndbookfest.com for more information and contact e-mails. Heartland New Day Bookfest will be held at Church of the Nazarene located at 3001 S Boulevard in Edmond, OK

The OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra will present a concert in Raley Chapel on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.  More information is available at music@okbu.edu or www.okbu.edu