Festivals & events
Fezziwigs & Dickens of a Christmas Wellsboro’s central streets will close to traffic on the first Saturday in December as the town celebrates its thirty-fourth Dickens of a Christmas. Vendor stalls steam with all manner of sweet and savory delights. Every handcrafted shopping treasure you can name is available for sale. And, because of its namesake, the event has always prompted townsfolk and visitors alike to dress in period style, whether that style be highbrow Victorian matron or grubby street urchin. Larry Biddison, one of the festival’s founders, and his wife Barbara have always been at the forefront, leading costuming workshops as well as characters performing for the Dickens-day crowds. But though you will still see them strolling in their Victorian finery, it was time to pass the baton—which has landed in the creative hands of Thomas Putnam, the founder and artistic director of Hamilton-Gibson Productions, who last year brought those Dickens characters back to life under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig. In A Christmas Carol, Fezziwig (the kindly and generous boss of the young Ebenezer Scrooge) and his wife host a party every Christmas Eve, and Wellsboro’s Fezziwigs and company bring that celebration to life. It all begins at 9:00, at the stage (and piano) set up at Main and Crafton streets, where Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig will welcome the crowds before they and their entourage set out to mingle and entertain throughout the day. They will lead two Victorian strolls, one in mid-morning and one in mid-afternoon, beginning at Central Avenue, with musicians and singers leading anyone who wants to participate—costumed or not—down the south side of Main Street to East Avenue and back up the north side of town, singing and cavorting. Several skits will take place at the Main and Crafton stage, including the spoof The History of the British Monarchy. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig are famous dancers, and will lead the Sir Roger de Coverley contra dance (which they danced so famously in the novel) with two sets of dancers, and passersby will be encouraged to join in. “It’s great fun,” says Thomas, “and really easy to learn.” Festivalgoers will also be invited to join in a rousing rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with the actors and the crowd divided into groups for each of the twelve days. Thomas is also hoping to have a troupe of jugglers on the street this year, so watch for them, too. Fezziwig, who is, after all, a capitalist, will also have apprentices selling locally made soap out of a cart and singing their theme song: “Here’s one, two, three smelly lads—all in a heap. / If they stand near the fire they will smell of dead sheep. / They will smell of dead sheep as they sing out the King. / And demand good cheer from you if you wear a gold ring.” For a finalized schedule and map of events, parking, ATMs and restroom facilities, visit www.wellsboropa.com, email info@wellsboropa.com, call (570) 724-1926, or stop in at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 114 Main St. You can also go to www.hamiltongibson.org for more information on their other weekend productions.
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