Black Friday? Bah, Humbug!
Celebrate ‘Bright Friday’ With the Opening of Dickens Christmas
The magic of the holiday season returns with the 28th edition of Dickens Christmas.
Enchanting holiday shoppers as it brings “A Christmas Carol” to life, Skaneateles’ iconic street theater production opens Nov. 26 and runs weekends through Christmas. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a limited show (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Christmas Eve.
“After a year’s absence, we are elated to be returning to Skaneateles,” says producing director Jim Greene, who plays Dickens. “Her Majesty and I look forward to sharing our holiday warmth with old and new friends alike. God bless us, every one!”
“Downtown Skaneateles businesses are thrilled to welcome everyone back,” says Hilary Fenner, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have implemented safety protocols for our Dickens cast to ensure the safety of all.”
Dickens Christmas is a mask-friendly event that will follow all COVID guidelines. Due to the event’s popularity, the Chamber recommends that guests wear a mask while indoors. “I, for one, am grateful to keep my face warm with a festive mask during this chilly wintertime,” Greene says.
Let us turn back the calendar, now, to 1842.
Queen Victoria has arrived in town with Charles Dickens, whom she has commissioned to write a Christmas story. Also visiting is Dickens’ friend Washington Irving, who is working on his latest ghost story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” During their month-long stay, Dickens gains inspiration from a bevy of now-familiar characters, along with finishing school girls, pickpockets and other villagers. The story unfolds each week as Dickens and his entourage interact with cast members and passersby.
Dickens Christmas is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment and presented by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Skaneateles-area business community.
Highlights of this year’s season include:
- World’s Smallest Christmas Parade. Nov. 26, starting at noon at the Skaneateles Village Hall on Fennell Street, proceeding east to Jordan and Genesee streets and arriving at the Hannum House porch in time for the 12:10 p.m. grand opening.
- Midday Revels—Christmas carol sing-along—2 p.m. every day at the gazebo. Twelve groups form, representing the 12 days of Christmas. The groups vie for attention, and at the end, Queen Victoria awards a silver teasel to the most spirited performer. Winners have been known to wear their coveted silver teasels throughout the season.
- “A Christmas Carol” trunk shows, in which Dickens performs lighthearted versions of his new story with help from the audience, 1 p.m. at the gazebo.
- Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides around the village, departing from The Sherwood Inn, provided by Rt. 80 Quarry Ridge Stables. Wagon rides are $3 per person, $10 per family; carriage rides are offered for a $50 donation.
- Performances by the Bright Friday Brass, Nov. 26 and every Saturday.
- A snowman-building contest in Clift Park Dec. 18 (weather-permitting). Bring your own supplies and creativity! Queen Victoria will judge the entries at 2:45 p.m. First prize is a $50 gift certificate from The Sherwood Inn; second prize is a Dickens mug with cocoa.
- “A Christmas Carol—The Radio Play,” 7-9 p.m. Dec. 18 at the West End Theater, 217 Genesee St., Auburn. The performance will be available the following day on YouTube. For tickets and information, visit skaneateles.com.
- Free refreshments, including roasted chestnuts donated by Tops Friendly Markets and Johnny Angel’s and Byrne Dairy eggnog served by the Girl Scouts (Saturdays only).
For children, Father Christmas will hand out treats from the porch of the Masonic Temple. And Mother Goose will read stories at Loft 42. (Masks and social distancing are required indoors.)
“While you’re in town, be sure to visit our unique shops and restaurants—the perfect complement to a holiday outing,” Fenner says.
“And stop by the Chamber, at 22 Jordan St., for commemorative scarves ($15 with an embroidered logo, $10 without), mugs ($8), mugs with hot cocoa packets ($10) and ornaments ($5).”
Behind the Scenes
Dickens Christmas has about 40 cast members, including young apprentice talent, who are joined by a variety of guest musicians and caroling groups. The show comes together in just six rehearsals.
“We pack a lot in and streamline the process of building a character,” says Greene, of Dryden. “Every actor learns music and uses improvisational techniques to build their character and become part of the ensemble.”
Greene is assisted by:
- Maria DeMitchell, of Marcellus, who is artistic director and plays Queen Victoria
- Victoria King, of Syracuse, who is music director and plays Lady Mariah. King is assisted by Patrick Glaub, of Hazel Park, Michigan, who plays Washington Irving.
- John Michael Decker, of Queensbury, who is associate director and plays Ebenezer Scrooge
- Brett Norsworthy, of Wolcott, who is production manager and plays undertaker Barry M. Deep
- Tracey Greene, of Dryden, who is head costumer
- Kristin Palazzoli, of Fayetteville, who is associate costumer
All cast members are fully vaccinated.
Dickens Christmas is made possible by the sponsorship support of over 130 local businesses.
The festival is further supported through ticket sales from a Dickens Raffle. First prize is a Mirbeau gift package valued at $750. Other prizes include a one-year family membership to the Skaneateles YMCA, a Shop and Dine package and a Skaneateles gift basket. Tickets—$5 each, three for $10, 10 for $25—are on sale at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce and other village locations.
Paid parking is available in the municipal lot between Jordan and State streets; free parking is available in the lot adjacent to Ace Hardware/Skaneateles Town Square on Fennell Street and at the Austin Park Pavilion, at the corner of Jordan and Austin streets. A horse-drawn wagon will shuttle between both locations and the village. Tickets for the shuttle, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., are $3 per person each way, $10 per family (maximum of six people). Shuttle riders will receive a coupon for a free ornament from the Chamber.
For more information on Dickens Christmas, go to skaneateles.com, call 315-685-0552 or follow the event on Facebook (Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce or Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles).
