Enter the world of Jane Austen at the annual Mount Dora Jane Austen Fest. Hosted in the charming central Florida town of Mount Dora, participants can immerse themselves in the world of their favorite Regency era author.
Ladies in Empire waist day dresses and bonnets fill the sidewalks, their chatter surrounding you.
You might think you've stepped into the pages of a Regency novel. Or perhaps found yourself an extra in the latest season of Bridgerton.
The annual Mount Dora Jane Austen Fest has begun, with all the charm and history of the Regency era to be explored.
The Incomparable Jane
Few authors over the course of centuries have entertained and delighted quite like Jane Austen. Miss Austen draws readers into her world, sharing the nuances of the time with charm and humor.
A modern woman of her time, Jane Austen's works have won over generations. Festivals like the one in Mount Dora celebrate the late writer.
"She's a forerunner of women's liberation," shared Margaret Jane Andersen, President and Founder of the event. "I see her as a heroine. We hope people will leave the event with a renewed interest in Jane."
An Auspicious Start
A soiree at the community building on Friday night opens the festival in fine fashion.
Music fills the air as people from all walks of life chat and share the excitement of the weekend. They compare thoughts on their favorite of Jane Austen's books and the workshops to come.
Later in the evening, there is a discussion about Jane Austen in film.
Tea at Donnelly House
On Saturday afternoon, attendees can enjoy a four-course tea at The Donnelly House, a Queen Anne-style home built in 1893, on the west end of Donnelly Park.
A highlight is the tea itself. Divine Jane is a blend of black tea made just for the event by local Umatilla tea maker Tantalizing Tea. The tea has lightly sweet and fruity notes that pair well with savory tea sandwiches and sweet treats.
The Regency Ball
The much-anticipated Regency ball caps off Saturday evening.
People stroll through the space in their best Regency-era evening dress, sipping cups of wine. They share tales from the day and join in the traditional dances.
Nikki Herbst, a well-respected leader in the English country dance community, calls the dance for those on the floor.
Crumpets on the Lawn
On Sunday, attendees can enjoy a morning of English crumpets, flown in from the United Kingdom for the event.
A lawn bowling workshop, hosted at the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club, serves as the morning venue. The club itself is one of the oldest in the country. Members share the art of lawn bowling and teach the intricacies of the game.
"Our festival is the only Jane Austen event outside of Bath to offer Lawn Bowling," said Margaret Jane Andersen. "Lawn bowling was one of the few physical activities that women in the Regency era were allowed to do."
Event Entertainment
They offer workshops between all the festival events during the three-day event. You can choose from making bonnets or turbans in the Regency style.
Others may try their hand at the art of paper quilling, stained glass, or making silhouettes, art popular in Austen's time.
Some choose to get a preview of the English country dances planned for the ball at the Regency dance class.
If fashion is more your thing, you can find several speakers at the community building throughout the event. Experts and authors share a range of topics on life and fashion during Austen's time.
For the 2024 event, Jenny Chancey, owner and designer of Sense & Sensibility Patterns, will speak about the fashion of the day. "She's going to have models, going from the inside out, dressing from the corset and stays to the spencer jacket," shared Andersen.
To reflect the entertainment of the day, plays are also a part of the festival line up.
They offer parlor playlets on Friday. On Sunday, founder Margaret Jane Andersen herself will present a new one-person play.
New and Upcoming
The 2024 event has a few other new things in store for attendees.
Event workshops and speakers will start on Friday afternoon this year.
This year's ball will be a masquerade ball, with an added workshop on Saturday afternoon for mask making.
The biggest change is the addition of a Regency marketplace on Sunday morning. "We're going to have a puppet show, a juggler, fencing demonstration, a stilt walker and more!" said Andersen.
Mount Dora – A City of Festivals
They host the event in the charming central Florida town of Mount Dora.
Inviting shops fill the tree-lined streets. There is a thriving vintage and antique community, anchored by Renninger's, just outside of the city.
Mount Dora also features top rated local dining options, including fine dining and farm-to-table establishments. Visitors will struggle to find time to see and do everything in one visit.
Considered "A City of Festivals", it hosts a wide range of events all year long, including nationally ranked arts events and even its own highland games.
The wide selection of bed-and-breakfasts in many of the city's historic homes adds to the ambience of the town and enhances the historical nature of the Austen event.
To quote Jane herself, "It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do." (Sense and Sensibility, 1811).
Gathering to share the joy in her writing, making new friends and taking a step back into her time through food and dress would surely be considered by Austen as time well spent.
Attending the Event
Next Festival Dates: February 9-11, 2024
To learn more, check out the event website: janeaustenfest.com.
Registration for the 2024 event is currently open.
Attendees must register for each day they would like to attend, which covers a range of speakers and performances.
The Soiree, Regency Ball, Afternoon Tea, Crumpet Breakfast, and all workshops require registration with a separate fee.
Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for women living in Florida with an interest in literature and fashion.