By Kristina Schnack Kotlus
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With light snow in the forecast, over 800 people grabbed their coats and their kites to enjoy an early spring festival at Gunston Hall on Saturday.
Each spring, the Friends of Gunston Hall host a kite festival to support the historic site’s education fund. Susan Blankenship, Development Program Coordinator, says that the local community have come to expect a great program facilitated by dedicated volunteers who come as period actors.
This year the event included not only kite flying in the fields adjacent the visitor’s center and museum, but also historic games and demonstrations. Volunteers in the kitchen showed visitors how to make carrot soufflé over a traditional colonial hearth while in another area, a local artist gave hands-on demonstrations of basket weaving.
Children enjoying a shadow puppet show seemed transfixed, while parents enjoyed a break from chasing kites. Other visitors enjoyed talking with volunteers dressed in period costume. “We’re very lucky to have a dedicated group of period actor volunteers who come out for all of our special events” said Blankenship.
Tava Jo Ingram Foster, who attended the festival with her children, said they enjoyed the festival.
“It was a lot of fun for us. The best part was getting a kite off the ground and actually flying it for the first time. My younger son Lincoln loved the Archaeology portion and still thinks he’s found dinosaur bones,” shared Foster.
The Friends of Gunston Hall hold events throughout the year to support the educational mission of Gunston Hall. Upcoming events can be viewed on their website, and are also listed on the PotomacLocal.com calendar.
Gunston Hall, at Mason Neck, was the home of famous patriot Geroge Mason. The mansion was built in the 1750s with the Mason family living there between 1759 and 1792, according to materials provided by Friends of Gunston Hall.
Kristina Schnack Kotlus is PotomacLocal.com’s Style and Events producer and lives with her family in Woodbridge.
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