One of Long Island’s grandest holiday traditions, “Candlelight Evenings” at Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR), will take place December 19 - 20 and 26 - 30, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The event takes place from 5-9:30 p.m.

Candlelight Evenings offers a Hallmark card setting of flickering candles inside the Village’s historic homes, along with 19th-century holiday decorations and entertainment, all set within the confines of the darkened property. Among the forms of 19th-century entertainment offered will be the “Magic Lantern” show, the predecessor of the contemporary slide show, featuring displays of hand-colored glass slides of famous persons, places and events. There will also be musical entertainment, including a brass quartet playing popular seasonal tunes and traditional American dancers, and readings of classic holiday children’s stories in the Manetto Hill Church.

In addition, visitors can warm up around the bonfire in the Village’s crossroads and enjoy hot, mulled cider and ginger cookies at the Noon Inn, for a small fee. This year’s event includes a small holiday crafts fair on December 19 - 20, in the Visitor’s Center. “This is a wonderful family tradition on Long Island that continues to provide a unique holiday experience,” says OBVR Site Director Jim McKenna. “We encourage visitors to bring their own safe lighting devices, though no open-flame candles or propane devices.”

OBVR will be closed during its regular daytime hours on Candlelight Evenings dates; it will also be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Village will close for the winter following the Festival, reopening in the Spring of 2010. Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th -century American village set on more than 200 acres. Regular hours are Wed. - Sun., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (those under 5 are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters; and $10 for adults. OBVR is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400. For more information about the Parks Department, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks or call 516-572-0200.