Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tour homes, shop independent during Bellevue extravaganza

Celebrate a Victorian-style holiday season along luminary-lit Fairfield Avenue during Bellevue's Tour of Homes and Shopping Extravaganza this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bellevue Renaissance and the Bellevue Neighborhood Association are partnering to present the event, which will feature tours of four homes: 235 and 251 Berry Avenue, 271 Ward Avenue, and 254 Van Voast Avenue.

Luminaries will identify the more than two dozen independent businesses that will stay open until 9 p.m., and the Bellevue Baptist Church carolers and Main Street Ringers handbell trio will provide entertainment dressed in period costumes.

"What better way to get into the holidays spirit by escaping the pressures of the mass market retail areas to be embraced by small town charm and merriment?" says Jody Robinson, downtown coordinator with the City of Bellevue.

Home tour tickets are $10 and will be available at participating businesses and at the Marianne Theater box office on the day of the event.

Drawing of 235 Berry Avenue by Sally Kerscher, courtesy of Bellevue Renaissance.