Bradley Estate prepares for ‘Holly Daze’ celebration

As the holiday season approaches and the days become shorter and darker, the entrance to the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, located on Route 138, has been decked out in garlands of white lights as the Trustees of Reservations invite everyone to Holly Daze & Be Dazzled, a 10-day celebration that runs from Wednesday, December 7, through Saturday, December 17.

The 90-acre Bradley Estate comprises a large country home built by architect Charles Platt, a large formal garden, and surrounding woods and fields. The home is typically only opened for private celebrations and gatherings. However, this year the Canton Garden Club is decorating the house for the holidays, while four local scout troops are decorating live trees set in the formal garden behind the building. Several programs are scheduled for children, families and adults throughout the celebration.

Julie Early, the engagement site manager at the Bradley Estate, has been working with a committee of volunteers to coordinate Holly Daze. The Trustees have sponsored events during the last year that range from snowshoeing to indoor concerts. Early said that many members of her holiday committee have visited the Bradley Estate and offered to volunteer with activities.

“They participated in our events and asked if they could stay on,” Early said. “They enjoy working with people and helping in the gardens. I’m thrilled. I’ve got great people.”

Several members of the Canton Garden Club began planning the decorations for the home last summer. Club members have decorated the light posts that line the gravel path leading to the home and garden with swags. They revitalized and refreshed some of the holiday decorations that are used in the house and also created some new decorations. Last week, 11 trees were delivered to the estate, nine of which were arranged in the formal garden behind the home. The other two were set on the porch of the home. Ten of the trees are six and a half feet tall and the 11th is 10 feet tall.

“The trees will have different themes,” Early said. “The scouts will have their own tree.”

The tallest tree will be a giving tree, decorated in the motif of the Trustees of Reservations and offering daily drawings for gifts such as keychains, recyclable shopping totes, and discounts for programs sponsored by the Trustees. Children ages 5-12 can take part in craft activities and have a photo taken with Mrs. Claus. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa, seasonal drinks, and other refreshments.

Visitors will enjoy the decorated home and outdoor trees as well as the other festivities that begin Wednesday, December 7, with the lighting of a tall tree that grows in front of the house at 5 p.m. and music provided by the Easton Bell Choir. Staff members and volunteers will read seasonal stories on Thursday, December 8, and Thursday, December 15. A dance for young professionals in their 20s and 30s will be held on Friday, December 9, and a trivia night contest for the same age group will be held on Friday, December 16. Both events will run from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Students from the Sharon Music Academy will carol at the main house on Saturday, December 10, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Their teachers, pianist Sandra Lin and vocalist Nicole Ferretti, will give a classical music performance that evening.

Holly Daze & Be Dazzled concludes on Saturday, December 17, with an ice sculpture demonstration from 3-4 p.m. in the afternoon and a Finale Holiday Swing Dance in the evening.

The main house will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 12 and 13, but the public is still welcome to walk through the grounds from sunrise to sunset. The home will be open December 7-11 from 3-8 p.m. and again at the same times from December 14-17.

The entrance fee from 3-8 p.m. is $5 for adult members of the Trustees of Reservations and $10 for adult non-members. There is no charge for children, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The entrance fee for the dance and trivia contest for young professionals is $9 for Trustees members and $15 for non-members for each night. The fee for the Holiday Swing Dance (adults only) is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers.

Members of the volunteer holiday committee include Canton residents Paula Vozzella, Karen Froehlig, Vi Ho, Kathy Anderson, Steven Yakutis, and Joan Marie Driscoll. Canton Boy Scout Troop 77, led by David Emhardt, and Cub Scout Troop 77, led by Todd Weaver, will each decorate two trees. For more information on Holly Daze & Be Dazzled, go to www.thetrustees.org and choose Bradley or email Julie Early at bradley@thetrustees.org.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Dec 2 2016. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.