Dickens of a Christmas to return to Tioga County
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The 39th Annual Dickens of a Christmas is next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 and 3 in Wellsboro.
According to a news release, on Saturday, Dec. 2, there will be 226 Dickens artists, craftsmen and food vendors, both indoors and outdoors.
Promptly at 9 a.m., the town crier will greet everyone with the ringing of his bell.
The business section of Wellsboro's Main Street and two side streets, closed to motorized vehicles, "will magically transform into an outdoor Victorian marketplace," the news release said, with 83 artisans offering delightful wares for holiday gift giving or to keep and 37 food vendors with delectable fare to eat or to give as gifts.
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, 32 art, craft and food vendors will be found indoors at the United Methodist Church and at the Wellsboro Active Living Center plus 74 more on Saturday when the Indoor/Outdoor Craft Show opens at the Wellsboro Firemen's Annex on East Avenue.
Local churches will host a variety of indoor events Friday and Saturday, the news release said. Among them are a Dickens of a Dinner, lunches, concerts, a display of model trains, a cookie sale and in the spirit of helping others, an Alternative Giving Christmas Fair with refreshments.
Hamilton-Gibson will present A Dickens of a Concert Friday night and six performances of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at the Deane Center's two theaters on Saturday and one performance on Sunday.
Dickens Best Dressed Showcase contest registration is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday Dec. 2. At 1 p.m., judges will select the Best Dressed for Dickens 2023, the news release said.
Everyone -- in costume or not -- is invited to participate in Saturday's 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Victorian Strolls on Main Street.
The Dickens Street Urchins will be at the intersection of Crafton and Main streets to entertain people immediately following each stroll, according to a news release. Passersby are always encouraged to join in no matter what is being performed. Guests and locals will be greeted with warmth, music and good cheer.
"It all adds up to a lot of good fun," said Julie Henry, Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, according to the news release. "Seeing people enjoying themselves is really refreshing and in keeping with the holiday spirit. Having a good time is what our festival is all about."
At 5 p.m. Saturday night, the Candlelight Walk for Peace will begin at Packer Park on Queen Street and at 5:30 p.m. the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on The Green with 2023 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen Emma Podobinski, Santa Claus and a carol sing.
For more information or the schedule of events, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 570-724-1926, emailing info@wellsboropa.com or visiting http://www.wellsboropa.com.