Nutcracker Museum

EASTER is celebrated by Christians everywhere as the resurrection of Jesus, and according to History.com, the Easter eggs represent the resurrection.  The first story of the Easter Bunny was documented in the 1500s.  In 1680 the first story was published about a rabbit laying eggs and hiding them in a garden

MEMORIAL DAY was first observed as “Decoration Day” following the end of the Civil War, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the US military.  It became a national holiday in 1971.  (is usually considered the opening day of summer fun)

MOTHERS DAY was conceived by Anna Reeves as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children, and the official holiday arose in the 1900’s. FATHER’S DAY just celebrated its 100^th anniversary on June 19 and it all began when Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane Wash listened to a sermon on Mother’s Day, and wanted to designate a special day for her dad, William Jackson Smart.

INDEPENDENCE DAY, known as “the Fourth of July”, is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Whereas there are usually rousing brass band parades and fireworks, this year it was quietly observed.

AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL is Leavenworth’s oldest festival  which celebrates the glory of the surrounding mountains when leaves turn into vibrant fall colors.  Penny Carpenter is the 2020 Royal Lady of the Autumn Leaves, and also serves as President of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum board of directors.

OKTOBERFEST is an important part of Bavarian culture, being held each year in Munich since 1810.  Today it is held in many cities across the world and Leavenworth schedules the festivities to the first weekends in October.

HALLOWEEN began with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.  Over time it has evolved into a day of carving jack-o-lanterns, trick or treating, donning costumes and festive gatherings.

THANKSGIVING is modeled after a 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.  We hope all families will again be able to join together to serve the traditional roast turkey and pumpkin pie dinner this November.

CHRISTMAS is the favorite holiday of the year, and each family celebrates in their own special way.  Even if we still have Covid lockdowns, we want to remind all the children that, Yes, SANTA WILL BE COMING!