A “Dickens of a Christmas” to Celebrate 30th Anniversary in 2013
Wellsboro, PA (PRWEB) November 20, 2013 -- Perhaps there really is magic in Wellsboro’s gaslights during the winter season: while these glowing lamps line the main streets of town do captivate visitors throughout the year, they seem to radiate memories of a simpler time and place once they are decked out in wreaths and Christmas trees. Although fresh snow adds to the ambiance, giving them a look and feel comparable to that of a holiday greeting card, it’s the annual Dickens of a Christmas Celebration that truly fills the air with the magic of the holiday season.
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2013, the Dickens of a Christmas Celebration takes place on the first Saturday of December each year (this year’s date is December 7) and draws thousands of visitors to the area. But the celebration did not always produce the crowd that the celebrations in recent years have drawn. The event was started in 1983 when a group of townsfolk came together to create an idea that would add cheer to the pre-Christmas season.
“I don’t know what we should do,” stated one townsperson, “but whatever we do we ought to have a Dickens of a good time doing it!”
And so the celebration was born.
Initial decisions included inviting vendors to sell food and crafts on the street that were appropriate for the occasion—only handmade items were to be sold, and each booth had to be decorated in a Christmas theme with vendors wearing Victorian garb. Music and comedy acts were to perform in the streets. That first year, a total of 12 vendors put on a celebration that would delight—and draw—crowds back for more each year.
Much like the first celebration, these traditions are still upheld by participants. Unlike the first Dickens, the size of the festival has grown exponentially: during the 2012 celebration it is estimated that a few thousand people were in attendance, with over 100 vendors offering a variety of homemade and unique crafts and food. Vendors come from near and far and line not only the entire length of Main Street, but also Waln Street, Crafton Street, and parts of Central Avenue. While the main celebration takes place on December 7, other activities do take place on Friday, December 6 and Sunday, December 8: popular activities include weekend-long sales at local merchants, the Holiday House Tour on Friday afternoon, and the Santa Express Train Excursion from Tioga Central Railroad.
It’s not just the vendors and Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce that make Dickens of a Christmas a success each year. Dozens of community groups volunteer their time to build stages, perform, assist in parking or simply have seating indoors for visitors to take a break from the action. “[They] add charm and vitality to the picture,” stated Julie VanNess, Executive Director of the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce. Without the assistance of these groups, it’s clear that the success of this celebration would not be as large.
For a complete listing of this year’s festivities, visit http://www.wellsboropa.com for more information. If you are planning on staying the weekend, book your stay soon as lodging facilities fill up quickly: lodging and dining suggestions can be found at http://www.visittiogapa.com
Allison Senchur, Tioga County Visitors Bureau, http://www.visittiogapa.com, +1 (570) 724-0635, [email protected]
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