WHAT ABOUT PLANNING A JANE AUSTEN SUMMER HOLIDAY? THE 6TH JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL, LOUISVILLE

One of my dream is to be able to take part in a Jane Austen Festival sooner or later. Bath or New York, that wouldn't mind. The nearest event I can dream of is Bath Festival. I'm in Italy, Bath is in England, just a two-hours' flight and I may be there. If only I wasn't a teacher! Teachers work in September and to have days off for entertainment is not that easy, if not impossible.

However, that is not the only Jane Austen Festival in the world, isn't it? If you are too far or you can' t go in September, check out the upcoming Austen events among my tweets or on my daily paper, The Everything Austen Daily . Year after year there are lots of new amazing events all over the world,   in which hundreds of Janeites meet, have fun and celebrate our beloved author. 

What about having a look at one of them and its schedule? And what about starting planning a Jane Austen summer holiday?
One of the greatest summer events is the 6^th Annual Jane Austen Festival which will tale place on July 20 & 21, 2013 at beautiful Historic Locust Grove, Louisville, KY. 

Wouldn't that be great? To fly to the US and land in Jane Austen Regency world! 

Inside the Visitors’ Center a four-course Afternoon Tea will take place each day and a Silent Auction of lovely Regency era items and Jane Austen memorabilia will be offered.

Back by popular demand is the special children’s tea which will take place on Sunday afternoon at the last tea time.  Children aged 4-12 are invited to attend with an adult and have their own special menu sure to please.  They will have their photo taken with Mr. Darcy & Miss Elizabeth Bennett, have a regency themed craft project, and take home their own pretty cup and saucer.

“The Shoppes of “Meryton” will be set-up outside and will have vendors from throughout the Midwest and Canada who specialize in Regency era wares such as fabric, shoes, bonnets, patterns, jewelry, tea sets, tea and much, much more! 

New this year, “Elizabeth & Darcy-A Love Story, a 45-minute play written by Greater Louisville member, Alana Gillett. 

Also new, a Regency Promenade on Saturday. Dress up in your Regency attire as they will attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record number of people in Regency attire.  ($1 per person registration fee, which will be donated to the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton, England).

Visitors will have the chance to engage with the crew of the HMS Acasta, members of His Majesty’s Royal Navy who will demonstrate the real lives of sailors as they go about their business.

The log and stone buildings on the grounds will host the Regency men’s club called the “Hellfire Club”, and The Earl of Sandwich snack shop. Common Stock Entertainment will entertain young and old alike with shadow puppets, old-fashioned, kid-friendly peep shows, and other 18^th century entertainments.

Other talks and demonstrations to be held under the tent include “Dressing Mr. Darcy” and the ever-popular Regency Style show.  While a display of Regency fashion will be located in the Grand Parlor in the house all-day both days.

At the Village Green each day demonstrations of Bare Knuckle Boxing, a Duel Between Gentlemen and a Fencing Demonstration.

A Grand Ball will take place on Saturday, July 20 in conjunction with the local English Country Dance Society at Spalding University.   

Workshops will be offered: Regency Capote Bonnet, Regency Straw Poke Bonnet and Turbans Through Time. 

The Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) was founded in July of 2007.  They meet monthly at Historic Locust Grove. The Jane Austen Festival has become a very successful event with approximately 1,700 attending from 18 states and Canada in 2012.

For information about JASNA, visit www.jasna.org  and to purchase tickets for workshops, the ball, afternoon tea and admission, visit www.jasnalouisville.com   On-line pre-registration begins June 1^st. Take notes in order not to forget!

Media questions can be forwarded to Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator at wises4@insightbb.com or call 502-727-3917 (cell)   Mrs. Wise can provide high res photos and is available for interviews.