WASHINGTON, Ark.-By twilight time, the candles will be lit, the carolers will stroll the street and costumed guides will wait at the doors of the historic homes and buildings. >From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Christmas and Candlelight at Old Washington Historic State Park will show off the park at its loveliest with natural, 19th-century decorations and 3,000 luminaries. The historic buildings will be decked with old-fashioned decorations made of pine cones, magnolia leaves, pine and cedar branches. Wreaths using grapevines, sumac, pine cones and other natural items will adorn buildings and homes, which are open for touring. Garlands will decorate the fences and warm fires will crackle in the homes' hearths. Guides will wait in the buildings at homes to give tours, and minstrels will perform throughout the town. The event, including the tours, costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Visitors will be given maps to guide them to the homes and buildings on the tour, said Carey Walker, park superintendent. "This is the biggest event we have at the park," Walker said. "With the luminaria display and the houses decorated with natural decorations, it is a beautiful sight. About 2,000 people attended Christmas and Candlelight last year, and we expect more this year." The park is located 9 miles northwest of Hope and covers 100 acres. The park interprets Washington from 1824 to 1875. Presented by the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives, Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation, the city of Washington, Ark., and Old Washington Historic State Park, this event is the primary fund-raiser for the archives. >From Monday through Dec. 17, the park will celebrate "Christmas Past for Schools," allowing children to visit with Father Christmas and learn how our forefathers celebrated the season. Special curriculum-based school programs relating to the Christmas season and preparation for winter will be presented daily during this two-week period. The fee is $5.50 per student. Teachers should call for reservations at (870) 983-2660. BACKSPACE : The most used key on the keyboard.