Holiday feast planned at Hearst Castle

The Friends of Hearst Castle silver anniversary year comes to a glittering
crescendo on Dec. 4 with the most exclusive event of the year –
Holiday Feast. Just as W.R. Hearst enjoyed sharing his home with friends and
family, Friends of Hearst Castle is celebrating the season in its yuletide splendor.

Holiday Feast is a  magical
evening.
The banquet recreates the nostalgia of those heady times when the
movers and shakers of the day gathered in William Randolph Hearst’s hilltop
home for a taste of the truly good life – fabulous food and wine, good company,
spirited conversation and great entertainment.
This year’s Russian
theme invites you to come celebrate amid dcor reminiscent of a Varykino-inspired
winter palace.

A limousine-coach winds its way to the hilltop and the evening begins
with a champagne reception adjacent to the magnificent Morning Room. Guests will have the rare
opportunity to see and speak with castle conservator, Gary Hulbert, who has embarked
on the odyssey of conserving the sixteenth-century Morning Room ceiling.

Twenty-two
by forty-five feet, it is comprised of five sections divided by large beams
with layered corbels, and carved, painted panels between the beams. Its former
brilliance is slowly emerging, coming back to life, having languished, muted,
its beauty hidden under an accumulation of almost 500 years of grime, fireplace
smoke and candle soot.  Proceeds from Holiday Feast go toward the continuing
restoration of this magnificent artifact.

Following the reception, guests will make their way into the Refectory,
where chefs Janet and Jeff Olsson
of New West Catering in Buellton will present a five-course, wine-paired banquet.
As you enjoy this magnificent repast, the Usonia Jazz will fill the air with
strains of Hearst’s bygone era.

The final
entertainment of the evening will be in Hearst’s private theater, where
guests can settle into the original seats to view the Big Rock Balalaikas
perform gypsy cabaret-style Russian folk music, as it was once performed for
Russian royalty.

Seating for this black-tie event is limited to 90 guests, at $1,100 for
members of Friends of Hearst Castle and $1,200 for non-members.  Proceeds
benefit preservation of the Morning Room ceiling and educational programs at Hearst
Castle. 

The ticket includes valet parking, limousine transportation to the
Castle from the Visitor
Center, a champagne
reception, a meet and greet with castle conservator Gary Hulbert, a
professional photograph, a five course meal with specially selected wines, entertainment
from the Big Rock Balalaikas and a very special Castle-inspired gift. 

Transportation leaves the Visitor
Center promptly at 5:00
p.m. with return trips beginning at 10:30 p.m. For reservations and more
information, please contact Friends of Hearst Castle at (805) 927-2138