Arts & Antiques Open House November 17, 2005

The 10th Annual Arts & Antiques Open House is always considered a must attend event when Olde Towne Portsmouth opens its doors for shopping, eating and just plain fun! Portsmouth residents and visitors all consider the Arts & Antiques Open house to be the traditional kick off to the Holiday season. Always an upscale event, shop owners and residents are quick to point out that this event allows a truly lovely time to experience Olde Towne. Many of the shops offer refreshments, and the merchants and restaurants give out "Passports to Olde Towne Treasures." Each Passport must be signed at 6 locations to be eligible to prizes donated by Olde Towne Businesses. The Passports are dropped into treasure boxes located throughout Olde Towne; the customer does not have to be present at the drawing to win a prize.

Adding to the ambiance of the Arts & Antiques Open House - Portsmouth School students paint the windows of Olde Towne with Olde Fashioned Holidays themes. The students? art is displayed on High Street windows beginning at Effingham all the way to the River waterfront. This activity is co-sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association and the Portsmouth Public Schools Art Departments. Portsmouth Art Departments have become shining stars where students are encouraged to develop their own artistic strengths, and everyone surely enjoys the window art as it added to the sparkle of the Holiday Season. Painting begins November 10th and remains on windows until Jan 2nd.