“Christmas Past” Is the Present that Awaits You in Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville, OR (PRWEB) December 10, 2004

Turn any corner in downtown Jacksonville (Oregon) during December and experience a glowing vision of Victorian Christmas. Located in Southern Oregon off Interstate 5 near Medford, Jacksonville is one of only eight National Historic Landmark towns in the United States. The town became an early gold-mining center in the 1800s.

Residents have chosen to authentically preserve the history and architecture of the town’s commercial and residential buildings. Descriptions like “old-fashioned” and “traditional” come to mind this time of year as elegantly lit brick buildings and lovely decorations transport you back in time. Community and Christmas activities combine during a month-long celebration.

"This is our opportunity to present something special for children and adults from everywhere," says Terri Gieg, president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. "We want to share the close connection with the past that we feel in our town."

The December 2004 issue of Sunset (Northwest Edition) describes the town’s charm in a 4-page article entitled “Winter Cheer – Oregon’s Jacksonville Celebrates Christmas Past”. The holiday season officially began last weekend with a parade through downtown and the tree lighting ceremony. Santa arrived on a sleigh, drawn by his “reindeer” (llamas).

The festivities continue on Saturdays and Sundays through December 19th with barbershop singers, carolers, elves, and history buffs in period costumes. A Town Crier entertains and greets visitors, while actors portraying early residents Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Beekman are on hand to answer questions about the “good old days” in Jacksonville. Santa hosts children in Victorian Toyland. Everyone can enjoy roasted chestnuts, wood-stove baked cookies, hot chocolate, and wagon rides. A full schedule of this year’s activities and events is included in the sidebar (see below).

Good cheer in this tourist-focused town is reflected in the customer service found at local shops and stores.

“When you combine exceptional customer service with the beauty of a historic town like Jacksonville, you automatically have a memorable time,” said Sue Price, a tourism development consultant and owner of Southern Oregon Marketing Consultants. “This time of year, I often drive through Jacksonville on my way home from work. It takes a little extra time on the road, but the lighting and festivities are absolutely incredible and automatically put you in the holiday spirit. Jacksonville during the holidays is a must- see.” Price travels throughout Southern Oregon and leads an educational interactive workshop (the “Q Program”) developed by the Oregon Tourism Commission.

Many residents and visitors also know that Jacksonville is a wonderful venue for photography. Each year, new impressions of the town’s Victorian Christmas are added to The Landmark Series of holiday cards from ThePhotoGuild.com, which features the work of Southern Oregon photographers.

Photo-Oregon.com offers photography workshops throughout the Rogue Valley. During December, instructors lead photographers on casual walks through Jacksonville, helping them refine their skills. The best photo images are professionally processed and provided to participants in the format of their choice -- prints or products (cloth calendars, note cards, tote bags, etc.). Complimentary overnight accommodations are included for workshop attendees who want to receive their prints before heading home.

In Jacksonville, overnight visitors are encouraged to book accommodations ahead of time at any of the local bed and breakfasts, quaint hotels and unique lodging establishments.

About Oregon Marketing Consultant

Southern Oregon Marketing Consultant provides the highest quality destination management, event planning, sales training, customer service training and tourism development services in Oregon. The staff has over 30 years experience with hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, inns, lodges and restaurants – extending skillful expertise and value to their clients.

About Photo-Oregon.com & ThePhotoGuild.com

Southern Oregon provides varied and distinctive photography opportunities. Photo-Oregon.com’s workshops help visitors create engaging, intriguing images to take home as prints or products that commemorate their vacations. ThePhotoGuild.com is an online marketplace for custom and standard photo gifts and products. Examples include hand-sewn cloth calendars and wine bags.

Contact Information:

Terri Gieg, President

Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce

541-899- 8118

http://www.jacksonvilleoregon.org

Sue Price

Southern Oregon Marketing Consultant

541-535-1472 or 541-890-5472

http://www.somc.biz

Irene

Photo-Oregon.com and ThePhotoGuild.com

800-490-9313 or 541-899-7344

http://www.Photo-Oregon.com
http://www.ThePhotoGuild.com

Photos:     

Images of Victorian Christmas for one-time print use are available upon request from http://www.ThePhotoGuild.com.

Sidebar:

Victorian Christmas 2004, Jacksonville Oregon

December 3 - Parade and Tree Lighting

December 4 & 5 - Weekend Events - 11:30 to 4:30

Free wagon rides, Carolers singing, Chestnuts roasting on an Open Fire, Town Crier - Crying the News,Cornelius and Julia Beekman - Greeting One and All, Santa Claus in Victorian Toyland (3rd & California Streets), Holiday Art Experience at galleries. Free picture of your child with Santa sponsored by Patricia Bean Photography, Jacksonville Pharmacy and The Jacksonville Real

Estate Company.

December 10 - Festival of Trees, Wreaths & Gifts

Silent Auction - 11 AM to 4 PM

U.S. Hotel Ballroom

Beekman Ball - Victorian Christmas Ball - U.S. Hotel Ballroom 7 PM

Hosted by Cornelius and Julia Beekman. Food, drink, caroling and

dancing. Open and Final auction of Festival of Trees & Wreaths.

December 11 & 12 - Weekend Events - see above and add:

Ashland Brass Band - 2 PM - in front of Qwest Building, N. Oregon Street Historic Jacksonville Living History Tours - Southern Oregon Historical Society - Noon to 4 PM

C.C. Beekman House (California & Laurelwood Streets)

Catholic Rectory (4th & C Streets)

Adults $3, Children 6 - 12 & seniors $2. Free to SOHS members.

December 18 - Holidays at Hanley -

Slow Down and Enjoy your Family this Season - sponsored by SOHS -

1053 Hanley Road, 11 AM to 4 PM

Farmhouse tour: One hundred and fifty years of holiday traditions,

decorations and toys.

Outdoor fun: Festive sing-a-long, Banjo Bill, Hand

Bell Choir and much more. Adults- $5. Children 6 to 12- $3.

December 18 & 19 - Weekend Events - see 12/4 & 5 and add:

Historic Jacksonville Living History Tours - see 12/11 & 12 and add:

Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon Chamber Music - No Charge

Strings - Presbyterian Church (California & 6th) 2 PM to 4 PM

Woodwinds and Brass - Library (340 W. C Street) 2 PM to 4 PM

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