November 26, 1999
Web posted at: 12:16 p.m. EST (1716 GMT)

By Stuart Meisel
Special correspondent

GENESEO, Illinois (CNN) -- As the end of 1999 approaches, there's no time like the present for romanticizing the past. Every year, the small Western Illinois town of Geneseo celebrates Christmas of yesteryear -- a Christmas of Dickens and Mary Poppins, of a simpler, calmer age. This year the Victorian age will be re-created on December 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a lavish, family-oriented festival, complete with period costumes and decorations.

The Geneseo Victorian Walk, now in its 14th year, offers many old-fashioned activities and sights including Santa Claus' seven-foot grandfather, Father Christmas; storefronts and windows decorated in the theme of Victorian crafts such as quilting, spinning wool, toy-making and doll-making; Civil War reenactments; horse- and dog-drawn buggies; a Tubador (a strolling tuba player), and -- for a taste of the real thing -- chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The post office hand-cancels letters with a special commemorative stamp during the event. Classical music and the Moline Boys Choir round out the entertainment. Visitors don't need to worry about the weather unless there is a blizzard -- there are warming stations.

Geneseo, a town of 6,000, swells to 30,000 for the Victorian Walk. Other weekend activities in the area include touring Geneseo's magnificent Victorian-style homes and visiting the John Deere World Headquarters and the John Deere Commons a few miles west in Moline. The Rock Island Arsenal has a museum of military artifacts, and a few miles to the south is Bishop Hill, a National Historic Landmark.

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Take Interstate 80 to Illinois Exit 19, then take Route 82 North. If you are going for the weekend, plan ahead. Places to stay include the "EWE"nique Bed and Breakfast (tel. 888-870-5848), the Hartman House Bed and Breakfast (tel. 309-944-0288), a brand new Super 8 Motel (tel. 800-800-8000), and the Deck Plaza (tel. 309-944-4651).

If you prefer campgrounds, check into the Geneseo Campgrounds, which has log cabins, (tel. 309-944-6465), or Spirits in the Oaks (tel. 309-944-3889).

If you are going just for the day, park in the Deck Plaza. The trolleys will take you to the festival.

For more information, contact the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at (309) 944-2686. You can visit Geneseo's web site at www.geneseo.org.