Fort Ligonier to cap holiday season with Twelfth Night Celebration

Revelers can party like it’s 1799 at the annual Twelfth Night celebration set for Jan. 8 at Fort Ligonier.

It will be a blast from the colonial past as guests attend in period costume to partake of wassail and rum punch and to put their best foot forward for English country dancing.

The last hurrah of the holiday season is set for 7-9:30 p.m. in the history education center at the historical complex at routes 30 and 711 in Ligonier.

“Personally, it’s my favorite event of the year,” said Julie Donovan, the fort’s director of marketing and public relations.“We do a lot of wonderful events, but this one is just so festive.”

While the actual date of Twelfth Night will be Jan. 6, Donovan noted that the event is held on the Saturday closest to the date.

In addition to the aforementioned libations, Donovan said, guests will be treated to “a hearty array of food” and a version of the Twelfth Night cake that Martha Washington served to her guests.

“But the music is the real focal point of the event,” she added.

Since its inception, the party has featured the Wayward Companions, a Pittsburgh-based ensemble of classically trained musicians, who play tunes that would have been familiar to the Founding Fathers on strings, flute and drum.

The musicians will provide the soundtrack as historical re-enactor Brett Walker calls the dances.

“Brett himself is an English country dance-master,” Donovan said. “He had an esteemed career at Colonial Williamsburg and he performed with their dance ensemble.”

Also a historian and shoemaker with expertise in colonial-era footwear, including the fort’s collection, Walker serves as instructor for the fort’s series of English country dance lessons.

“We’ve been averaging about 20 people per class,” Donovan said.

Would-be party-goers who want to learn a step or two beforehand can attend a class from 5:30-7:30 pm. Dec. 28 at the fort.

No experience is necessary and drop-ins are welcome. Fee is $8 per person, and masks and gloves are recommended.

For Twelfth Night, Walker will be accompanied by members of another dance group he leads in the Pittsburgh area, Donovan said.

Attendees are invited to come in full 18th-century-style dress or in modern cocktail party attire.

This will be the fort’s first large, all-indoor event since the beginning of the pandemic, Donovan noted.

Last year’s Twelfth Night event was virtual, with participants watching a taped performance by Wayward Companions while enjoying treats and party supplies from to-go bags.

“The virtual event was very successful, but we’re so happy to be back in person,” Donovan said.

Attendance will be capped at 125. Fee is $50, or $40 for fort association members.

For reservations or more information on the Dec. 28 dance lesson, call 724-238-9701 or visit fortligonier.org.