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ENNY SAVE P R EAGLE NEWS
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017
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‘Bright Friday’ is coming Dickens Christmas opens Nov. 24
W
eekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the lakeside village of Skaneateles takes its cue from Dickensian England, as “A Christmas Carol” comes to life, enchanting holiday shoppers. The year is 1842, and Queen Victoria has arrived in town accompanied by Charles Dickens, whom she has commissioned to write a Christmas story. To mark the occasion, Mayor Fezziwig and his wife are planning “a celebration like no other, with joyful noise each day at the Midday Revels,” as Mrs. Fezziwig leads the town in caroling. During their month-long stay, Dickens is inspired by a bevy of now-familiar characters, including Scrooge, the Cratchits, Tiny Tim, the Fezziwigs, the Spirit of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Jacob Marley, along with finishing school girls, pickpockets and other villagers. The story unfolds each week, as Dickens and his en-
tourage interact with cast members and passersby. “The real magic of our little Christmas party is the human connection we make when we look each other in the eye and wish each other well,” said producing director Jim Greene. Dickens Christmas draws more than 20,000 visitors each year. It is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment and presented by Stifel Investment Services, the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Skaneateles-area business community. The production opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs noon to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23, with a limited show (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Dec. 24. Highlights of this year’s season include: ★ World’s Smallest Christmas Parade. Nov. 24, starting at noon at the Skaneateles Village Hall on Fennell Street, proceeding east to
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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
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attention, and at the end, Queen Victoria awards a silver teasel to the most spirited performer. ★Scenes from “A Christmas Carol,” featuring guests from the audience, performed at 12:30 and 3:30 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 $2; carriage rides are offered for a $20 donation. ★Comedy juggling shows, featuring deeds of danger and dexterity by Mervyn Brimble Dickens l Page B18