Parkersburg, W.Va. – The annual Blennerhassett Island Mansion by Candlelight Tour is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10. Sponsored by the Friends of Blennerhassett, this two-night event began in 1996 and has since become the island’s most popular annual fall activity.
This year, attendees will board the sternwheeler “Valley Gem” at Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio, to begin a journey to the year 1805 where Mr. and Mrs. Blennerhassett (played by Kara Postlewaite and Adam Dotson) have planned a grand party for all their guests. Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish aristocrat, settled on the wilderness island in 1798 with his lovely wife, Margaret, and completed construction of their magnificent mansion in 1800. The island and home will be bustling with entertainment each evening.
“The Candlelight tour gives visitors an opportunity to visit Blennerhassett Island’s re-created and exciting social life of 200 years ago – the world known by Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett,” according to special events coordinator Pam Salisbury. “If the autumn night air is crisp and candlelight flickers, the event weaves a mesmerizing spell. Costumed re-enactors are scheduled, there is music and dancing, a lively game of cards, and stories will be told to take visitors back to a bygone era that many of our ancestors might have experienced.
“Blennerhassett Island takes on a new persona as the sun goes down and the candlelight from the hundreds of lanterns placed throughout the island begin to illuminate the graveled paths directing you from the sternwheeler landing to the candlelit mansion, the servant’s party, harvest supper, gift shop, and other activities,” Salisbury continued. “The island is absolutely beautiful and individuals attending Mansion by Candlelight will feel like they have stepped back two centuries in time. This evening is guaranteed to be the most fun you will have had in a long time.”
Island cooks will be serving a picnic-style harvest supper at the island shelter of roasted pork, seasoned potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls, pumpkin pie, and a beverage. Harvest supper tickets are limited and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis (reservations for the supper must be made by October 5). The bluegrass band, “Never Too Late,” will perform and the concession stand will be open each evening to offer a variety of foods and drinks.
While on the island, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride around the upper half of the island, visit the gift shop and guests may warm by an inviting bonfire where another spirited party is going on. At the servants’ party, the Cossin Boys will entertain with bluegrass music with the opportunity to join in a dance with the West Virginia Mountain Pride dancers around the bonfire. Galen Smith, a local actor, is scheduled to tell spine-tingling ghost stories of local folklore and the Stillwell 4-H will be stirring a batch of apple butter – you can purchase a pint or quart to take home to support youth activities.
For more information about Mansion by Candlelight or other Blennerhassett Island State Park events, call 304-420-4800 or stop the Blennerhassett Museum at 2nd and Juliana streets in Parkersburg to purchase tickets or to make reservations.
Reserved Ticket Information and Schedule
Advance reservations are required for the Candlelight Tour and tickets are sold at the Blennerhassett Museum, which is located at the corner of 2nd and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg. Call 304-420-4800 to reserve your tickets. Separate tickets are required for the boat ride/mansion tour, wagon rides, and harvest supper. Wagon Ride tickets will also be available on the island for purchase.
Mansion Tour Schedule: (This is a rain or shine event – tickets are non-refundable)
Candlelight attendees will board the “Valley Gem” sternwheeler at Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio.
Boat Departure Times: 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Boat Return Times: 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 p.m.
Harvest Supper Settings: 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Reservations for Harvest Supper must be made by October 5.
Sternwheeler Ride & Mansion Tour: $20 – Adult; $12 – Child 3-12
Harvest Supper Rate: $13– all ages
Horse Drawn Wagon Ride: $ 4 (advance); $5 (that evening)