The 2017 Louisville Jane Austen Festival is almost here, and since it’s my next costume even, I thought it would be the perfect time to tell you about the 2016 Festival. Okay, so the perfect time would have been last year, but let’s not nitpick here.
Last July I attended my first Jane Austen Festival. The festival was held at the circa 1790 mansion, Locust Grove, in Louisville, Kentucky. The house itself was open to the public for tours, while the lawn and grounds surrounding it were turned into a market, full of historic vendors and interpreters. There was a large tent with various lectures and programs throughout the weekend, and outside there were other demonstrations, such as archery, a duel, and bare-knuckle boxing. Overall, lots of fun things to check out!
Weekends are even more fun when you get to spend time with awesome people who take goofy selfies with you.
Being the south in July, it was horribly hot and muggy, still we braved the heat and dressed up anyway. The trees behind the house provided some nice shade, but it was so hot. I tried to dress as lightly and sensibly as possible, though. If you are planning to attend this year, make sure you do the same. It’s all too easy to get overheated in that kind of weather. Predictably, because it was so hot I took almost no pictures, but I hope to do better this year.
No surprise here but that train got trashed.
Saturday I wore my new 1790s white gown that I made for the Guild Hall ball earlier that summer, paired with my green bonnet and an antique bonnet veil I bought at an antique textile shop in Bath, both of which did a great job of shading my face. I added a fichu to protect from the sun, and wore my special antique lamb brooch, but overall, accessories were kept to a minimum because of the heat.
Sunday I wore my block print gown, paired with the straw bonnet I wore in Bath. My friends indulged me, and we had a lovely picnic in the grounds behind the ha-ha. I have a thing for picnics, and had spent the previous 6 months gathering supplies like reproduction tin picnic plates and baskets that wouldn’t look too anachronistic in photos. I even made a homemade jam, chutney, and pickles to take. I have even more plans for this year! I told you I have a thing for picnics.
I also have a thing for cheese.
Overall, I definitely recommend a visit to the Louisville Jane Austen Festival if you are in the area. It’s a really enjoyable way to spend a weekend, just make sure you are prepared for the intense heat and humidity and plan your wardrobe accordingly.
Posted:
6/5/2017 9:31:07 AM by
Aubry | with
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