One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is to attend the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, Virginia. This outdoor service is held at the beautiful stone Grace Church which was constructed in 1896. The origional church on the site was built in 1745 and burned in 1785.
The members of the Keswick Hunt attired in their full livery and mounted on their horses are surrounded by the pack of foxhounds. The service includes prayers for blessing and protection of the hounds and hunters as well as thanks for the harvest. After the service spectators can walk across the road and 
witness the start of the hunt.
The first annual Blessing of The Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1929. This ceremony goes back to Saint Herbert who was the patron saint o hunters and lived in 8th century France.
Blessing of the Hounds
November 27, 2008, 10:00-12:30
Grace Episcopal Church
Gordonsville Road
Keswick, Virginia
Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, pam@JumpintoGreenerPastures.com, to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.
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Contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161 to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville. Email Pam Dent.
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