Holiday traditions from 1871 will be highlighted during Christmas at Joanna, to be held at Historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. The event, presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), will take place on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5, from 4 to 9 p.m.

The site's Mule Stable will be decorated to resemble the parlor of the Ironmaster's Mansion, which was home to ironmaster L. Heber Smith and his wife, Ella Jane. "Ella Jane's sister, Daisy Grubb from Lancaster, is coming to visit," said HCVHA executive director Mark Zerr. "Daisy was a major socialite and philanthropist, and she is bringing a lot of gifts for the family (in 1871)."

Volunteer re-enactors will portray Daisy, Ella Jane and Heber. "In the parlor, you can meet the family, and there will be parlor games and a live 15-foot cedar tree," Zerr noted.

The Hay Creek Trio and Hay Creek Dancers will perform during the event. "We've done Victorian dancing within the ironmaster's parlor before, but we moved it this year to a heated tent. There will more room for dancing, and visitors can learn and participate in the dancing," said Zerr.

Approximately 1,000 luminarias will light the furnace walkways. Boy Scout Troop 543 from Plowville will light the candles each evening, utilizing more than 3,000 tea lights throughout the event.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 315 of Alleghenyville will take part in pre-event decorating, and they will also be in charge of the centrally located bonfire. Musical groups that will perform around the bonfire include the Twin Valley Bible Academy bell choir, the Kurtz Family Band and the choir from Allegheny Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Children can also meet the Belsnickel around the bonfire. The Pennsylvania German Christmas character is a version of Santa, who will be dressed in furs with charcoal on his face. According to legend, he visited children before Christmas to gauge whether they were naughty or nice.

Morgantown Community Church members will present a live Nativity. Wagon rides will be offered for a fee, weather permitting, and the site's buildings will be open to visitors. Youngsters can visit the Kids' Santa Craft Workshop, where there will be face painting and arts and crafts led by the Morgantown Arts Center.

Food available for purchase will include sausage sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers, pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, soups, chili and french fries along with hot chocolate, hot mulled cider and coffee. The Christmas Craft Market will offer a variety of items, including baked goods, holiday decor, handmade wood items, homemade soaps, handcrafted blacksmith items, hand-knit scarves, jewelry, candles and fresh Christmas wreaths.

There will be an admission fee, but children age 12 and under will be admitted for free. For additional information, visit http://www.haycreek.org, call 610-286-0388 or search for "Hay Creek Valley Historical Association" on Facebook.