November 30, 2016 Arts & Culture » Community & Lifestyle
Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour returns for its 39th year
By Mark Beutler
Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour
4-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Mesta Park
704 NW 18th St.
mestapark.org
Free-$15
© JL Photo Services
In today's hurried-up world, the slower pace of a Currier and Ives Christmas seems ideal. Friends gather for cups of mulled cider, carolers sing of the season and a cozy, crackling fire welcomes weary travelers.
Homeowners in the historic Mesta Park neighborhood have filled their dwellings with gaily decorated trees, warm hearths and jolly elves to make your season bright. The 39th annual Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour is 4-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
"This is the largest fundraiser for our neighborhood," said Sarah Jordan, tour chairwoman. "Last year, we had roughly 2,000 visitors."
Value and comfort
Tour proceeds help beautify, improve and maintain the neighborhood park, boulevards, sidewalks, landscaping and historic streetlights and signs, she said.
Additionally, the event shows off the community's value, historic preservation efforts and joys of urban living.
Five homes are featured in this year's tour, and a sixth offers complimentary hot cider, homemade baked goods and Elemental Coffee Roasters coffee.
"Visitors will see a variety of homes, including various interior styles and five different architectural styles," Jordan said. "Each one brings something different to the table. Some are newly renovated, modern and fresh while others showcase a more historic charm."
Mild fall weather in October and early November allowed residents to get a head start on decorating.
Hosting the most
The neighborhood dates back to before statehood. It was named for former resident Perle Skirvin Mesta, who was the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg from 1949 to 1953 and often held lavish parties, which earned her the nickname of "hostess with the mostest." In 1949, she was named Time magazine's Woman of the Year.
The Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour began in 1977 and has become a metro holiday tradition. Besides maintenance funds, Jordan said a portion of tour proceeds benefit the neighborhood's Wilson Arts Integration School.
Tickets are available at mestapark.org and several metro brick-and-mortar stores and will be sold at the door.
"We are looking forward to seeing our friends and neighbors from throughout the metro," Jordan said.
Refreshments will be provided at the home of Jennifer and Andy Bowman at 704 NW 18th St. Food trucks also will be located there.
She said carolers will circle the neighborhood and Santa Claus will stop by.
Mesta Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Historic Preservation District by the City of Oklahoma City. It is bordered on the west and east by Western and Walker avenues and spans from NW 16th to NW 22nd streets.
"Mesta Park is an eclectic but tight-knit community," Jordan said. "We are truly fortunate to live here and hope others can see the neighborhood through our eyes on the home tour."
Print headline: Illustrious journey, Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour returns for its 39th year.
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Tags: Community & Lifestyle, architecture, christmas, Elemental Coffee Roasters, Luxembourg, Mesta Park, Mesta Park Holiday Home Tour, Perle Skirvin Mesta, Sarah Jordan, Wilson Arts Integration School
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