Friday, November 26, 1999
Christmas festival has Welsh flavor
BY JENNY CALLISON
Enquirer Contributor
SHANDON — For one weekend a year, this Butler County village celebrates all things Welsh. Shandon's annual “Christmas in the Country” festival has become a tribute to its beginnings as Ohio's first Welsh settlement.
Back by popular demand from last year's festival are Welsh cakes, slightly sweet scones with currants. This year, two other important aspects of Welsh culture — music and storytelling — were added. Cincinnati's “Cor Dadeni” (Renaissance Choir), accompanied by harpist Gretchen Star, will perform on Saturday. Tenor David Jones and Ms. Star will team up for a few duets. Sunday afternoon, Welsh native Sian Stow will spin tales from the Welsh tradition.
Saturday's activities include free horse-drawn trolley rides, the lighting of the Christmas tree and a visit from Santa Claus. Sunday's schedule features Ms. Stow's stories and caroling by youngsters.
Crafts and food will be available at St. Aloysius Church on Chapel Road and in the Community House, in the heart of the village. Shandon's shops offer antiques, old books, country crafts and furniture.
Visitors interested in history can explore the cemetery, making out the names of early settlers on the mossy stones.
Shandon's first European residents were Edward Bebb and Ezekiel Hughes, who immigrated from Montgomeryshire, Wales in 1795. Other Welsh people joined them. The village, first known as Paddy's Run, officially changed its name to Shandon in 1893.
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Christmas festival has Welsh flavor
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