HEAD HILLS

Christmas Classic

e unenlightened version of Ebenezer Scrooge would likely turn up his nose at the level of cooperation and dedication that goes into assembling the city of Cambridge’s Dickens Victorian Village each holiday season. e event, which began in 2006, is made possible thanks to a legion of volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours annually to bring a avor of the Victorian-era England that author Charles Dickens depicted in his most famous work, “A Christmas Carol,” to downtown Cambridge.

In all, 92 scenes featuring 180 life-size gures in vintage attire are set up at each lamppost and bench along Wheeling Avenue between Sixth and 11th Streets. Scenes are also presented in street-level and second-story windows.

e idea originated with local business owner Bob Ley and his wife, Sue, a teacher.

Inspired by the city’s historic architecture, Sue had the idea of creating a Victorian-era village during the holidays for residents and visitors alike. Bob made the rst mannequin before recruiting the community volunteers needed to bring the event to life. It runs each year from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.

Since Dickens Victorian Village’s inaugural year, another new element to the holidays in Cambridge has been added: a nightly, hourlong light show on the exterior of the 1881 Guernsey County Courthouse. It is synchronized to holiday music and runs continuously from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly (most weekends it runs until 11 p.m.). Tea service events and trolley tours are part of the seasonal fun as well.

Be sure to visit e Welcome Center, home to e Curiosity Shoppe, which stocks handcra ed items, Victorian hats for men and women and Christmas tree ornaments. ere is also a photo-op station that invites visitors to dress up in Victorian-era garb. Welcome Center: 647 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, Ohio 43725, 740/421-4956, dickensvictorianvillage.com

Jim Vickers

If you’re in search of a fall family friendly getaway, looking for heart-pumping adventure, or just trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of it all...