Dancing on the Drive
On Friday, September 20th, the Carriage House ushered in the Autumnal equinox with Dancing on the Drive, an outdoor dance and social event. Carriage House guests, neighbors, friends, and a mix of owner and host Don’s university economic students greeted the fall season energized by dancing and listening to big band, jazz, and rock-n- roll music while conversation flowed and appetizers passed freely as guests took a break from the floor.
Staff Preparations
Staff member Ethan worked lighting magic on the grounds in the days preceding the party by hanging lights, hauling tables and chairs, creating, along with the beauty of a starlit sky replete with full moon, an inviting, even romantic, atmosphere. Warm evening temperatures added another perfect dimension to the evening. Carriage House staff member Brianna helped to prepare luscious appetizers featuring skewered antipasto bites, Greek vegetable roll-ups, stuffed cherry tomatoes, and chili-cheese dip served on crostini.
Evening Events
Staff members Ethan and Brianna celebrate a job well-done.
Party goers began the evening with a pre-party fox trot dance lesson on the drive, mastering the basic step and a few turns and spins. Along with the fox trot, dancers displayed some “mean” swing moves and even swept around the drive in a Viennese waltz. Don broke in his dancing shoes leading every woman present around the drive in a dance.
As if on cue as the party was winding down, a cool fall breeze picked up, and over-night temperatures dropped to remind us that beautiful fall colors are just around the corner. Inspired by the enthusiastic reception, we hope to turn Dancing on the Drive into a semi-annual event as we are already planning a spring celebration.
Our Newest Guest Room
We now offer a 5th guest room named in honor of former Carriage House hostess Deb. Our largest room located in the main house is available to our guests when the original Carriage House is booked. The room is filled with antique furniture and includes a private, restored, vintage ’20’s bathroom with shower.
Winona Area Fall Events
Outdoor recreation, scenic river drives, and cultural events mark life in and around Winona during the fall.
Highlights include:
- Fall Color Hike the Bluff (Oct 5th & 12th)
- Voices from the Past Cemetery Walk (Oct 12th-13th)
- Theatre du Mississippi The Drowned Man written by Winona native Dan Munson (Oct 18th-20th)
- Trestor Trolly Fall Color Tour (Oct 20th)
- Ensemble Galilei concert (Nov 7th)
- Holiday Harvest Wine and Food Festival (Nov 9th-10th)
- Tundra Swan Watch Bus Tour (Nov 16th)
- Winona Art Walk (Nov 23rd)
- Artists Holiday Sale (Dec 7th)
- Christmas Candlelight House Tour (Dec 8th)
- 100 Miles of Christmas (Dec 7th-8th)