To be able to travel through time would be both an adventure and an educational experience. To be able to witness past holiday celebrations from around the world is even more exciting.
“A Time Traveler’s Tale” was presented by the Warren County Inclusive Homeschool Group at the Park Theater recently, taking guests on a whirlwind trip through time.
The program was organized by Dachelle McVey and Jenny Farr, directing 30 students in the production.
“We study about different cultures and try to incorporate the information in our program,” said McVey. “In class time students work on crafts and activities relating to the country, and introduce food items included in most cultural celebrations.”
To open the program, time traveler Lachlan McVey introduced the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with a historic dance presented by the students. The Feast of Lady Guadalupe is a tribal dance performed in Mexico, and featured students Lakelyn Collins, Jude, Nora and Silas McNeal, Aralen McVey, Anna and Elizabeth Parris, Sarah Perry and Hannah Wellman.
Three Kings Day time traveler Sarah Perry set the stage for the singing of “We Three Kings” and “Feliz Navidad." Three Kings Day is observed in Spain each year, and children place their shoes around the tree. Siblings Natalie and Sophie Carr portrayed the excited children placing their shoes.      
A Christmas truce was called when Elizabeth Gedville told the story of the Armistice experienced during World War I when fighting was called to a halt for a short time in observance of the holiday. Wyatt Farr portrayed a soldier writing home during that time, with Sam Cathcart providing the voice behind the letter. As historians told, soldiers in the trenches began singing “Silent Night,” with the singing spreading across the battle lines. “Silent Night” soloists displaying candles in the production were Lachlan McVey Natalie Carr, Elizabeth Parris, Sarah Perry, Aralen McVey and Josiah Laxson. It closed with “O’Tannenbaum” with decorations added to the Christmas tree. 
In some countries, Boxing Day is observed on Dec. 26 as a day to give “boxes” to the underprivileged, with Abby Oaks introducing the act. Children produced boxes and placed them under the tree as they sang “Good King Wenceslas.”
Omisoka Day is when Japanese families make a point to clean their homes before the beginning of the new year. Sweepers Calla and Wyatt Farr represented the cleaners by sweeping the stage floor. More recently the Japanese have started a singing competition as part of the celebration.
The home school version welcomed all students to display their talents. Talent show host Lacklan McVey introduced Natalie Carr, playing the piano, Sarah Perry reading a poem, and the trio of Calla and Wyatt Farr and Abby Oaks.
Following the presentation, the children and guests enjoyed sampling foods representing different countries from around the world.
“We have a lot of fun working on this project educating the children about other places besides Warren County, and it offers them the opportunity to be on stage and build their confidence,” said McVey.