The year is 2003 — or is it? It may be difficult to distinguish along North 8th and 9th Streets in Opelika’s historic district during the second week of December.
The residents of the east-central Alabama city invite visitors to step back to the turn of the century with the annual Victorian Front Porch Christmas celebration.
Jan Jones, a talented self-taught artist, accidentally began the top tourist attraction in 1992 by placing her handmade creations of life-sized angels, Santas, sets and props on the front porches of a few of her neighbors.
Jones grew up attending Alta Monte Springs Baptist Church near Orlando, Fla., but now attends Auburn United Methodist Church with her husband.
The proud homeowners began coordinating their porch and lawn decorations with Jones’ designs.
Soon residents began touring the neighborhood to get a peek at the masterpieces.
The response was so great the first year that many of the neighbors worked at Jones’ studio during the next year to help produce different figures for additional porches.
Uniting a city
The challenge of producing figures and decorations for all the porches brought the neighborhood together to expand the event.
With 50 turn-of-the century homes in Opelika, the area is one of the most intact Victorian neighborhoods in Alabama.
This year more than 10,000 people are expected to visit the Victorian Front Porch Christmas.
The event has received the Southeast Tourism Association’s Top 20 Events Award five times and the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Awards for 2002.
During the tour, the area is transformed into a rare glimpse of old-world charm.
Each off-season sends the North Opelika Historic Neighborhood Association scurrying to collect draperies and fabrics at garage sales to make costumes and hats for more than 100 costumed characters roaming through the neighborhood.
Jane Suhling, events chairperson and one of the tailors for the costumes, said, “It is not unusual to find bags of material, old hats and petticoats left at my doorstep. Association members search Goodwill stores and garage sales for material to transform into period clothing.
“A local construction company volunteers its staff to help dismantle the scenes and transport the figures. Another company donates warehouse space to store the decorations, and a host of volunteers work behind the scenes to make the event successful,” Suhling said.
Visitors can either walk or ride through the neighborhood Dec. 10–14, but the evening of Dec. 13 is the main event.
Streets are closed for vehicles so that carolers, costumed musicians and theater groups, along with storytellers on the porches, can entertain.
True to the spirit of the season, there is no admission charged for the driving or walking tour.
Many of the local churches provide children and adult choirs, and some also host open house to welcome visitors.
On Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.–9 p.m., Christmas in a Railroad Town is also part of the festivities. Opelika’s historic business district located on Railroad Avenue and 8th Street welcomes shoppers, while the museums and shops stay open till 9 p.m.
Children can enjoy the petting zoo and pony rides, as well as take rides on a miniature train and meet Santa.
Wagon rides are also available for a nominal fee to Victorian Front Porch Christmas.
The children’s ministry of First Baptist Church, Opelika, is returning for its fifth year of participation in Christmas in a Railroad Town and will present a live Nativity.
Sixth-grade children will depict scenes from the birth of Jesus, complete with music and Scripture reading.
Jones, now nationally known, has patrons who travel from across America to Opelika to purchase her unique creations.
“I enjoy making the angels,” she said.
“When I am making them, I think of the birth of Christ and how the angels rejoiced.”
For more information on the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour, contact the Auburn/Opelika Convention Visitors Bureau at 1-800-321-8880 or 334-887-8747.
You can also visit the Web site at www.victorianfrontporch.com or www.auburn-opelika.com.
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