TUSCUMBIA-Scrooge, Marley and all the familiar faces from Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, will return to Tuscumbia on December 9-10 to join merchants and townspeople in presenting the signature Christmas festival “It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all.” In its sixth year, the event adds a festive touch to the season and brings a touch of “merry ole England” to the historic Alabama town. Costumed characters will stroll the streets all day on Saturday, December 10, when most of the activity will take place.
The Dickens Feast will kick off the festivities, on Friday evening, December 
9. A Victorian English Christmas dinner with a Southern twist will be served up by Alan Philips, Red Clay Epicurean Catering at 7:00 p.m. at the Roundhouse at the Tuscumbia Railway Depot, 204 West Fifth Street. The evening will include entertainment by the Christmas Carol characters of Sustainable Differences, an Improv Group created and directed by David Prejeant with participation by Darren Butler and additional actors. Advance tickets are required for the feast and may be purchased for $25 at Fiddledee D!,111 South Main Street, Tuscumbia, AL. 35674 (Telephone: 256-383-9797). Dickens-era attire is invited but not required.
Saturday’s schedule then pulls out all the stops! This downtown experience with carolers and costumed Victorian characters (10 a.m. – 5:00p.m.) is free. Expect to find snow falling on Main Street. Pride and Clyde the Clydesdales will again be on hand to give carriage rides. An outdoor holiday market will be filled with arts and crafts and food vendors, and the shops of Tuscumbia will offer their own holiday specials.
Performances throughout the day will be presented by The Nutcracker Victorian Ballroom Dancers, brass and string ensembles, vocalists, children’s dance groups and others. Watch for appearances by Santa Claus and Father Christmas, his earlier English counterpart. A real Dickens-era sleigh will be displayed at Oh! Bryan’s Steakhouse, so stop by and have your photo taken, in costume!
A Holiday High Tea is planned at Locust Hill, an 1820’s home decorated for the season and offering dainty refreshments. Two seatings are offered with advance tickets required, available at Aunt Beas Bakery. Poetry and Music, will be presented by New York professional actor/director Ronald Rand with participation by community leaders at St. John’s Episcopal Church; donations accepted to help preserve the historic church.
Special events will be held throughout the day, including a Full English Breakfast served at Oh! Bryans, Downtown, and presentations by Dr. Andrew Luna of the University of North Alabama, revealing symbolism in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Additional events appealing to the younger set include: Christmas “Muffins with Mickey Mouse” at the Helen Keller Public Library with a screening of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” ($5, reservations required by calling 256-383-7065), Milk and Cookies with Tiny Tim and a reading of A Christmas Carol at Cold Water Books (free), and Cookie Decorating organized by Aunt Bea’s Bakery ($2).
Trolley Tours of the historic town of Tuscumbia will be offered, led by a knowledgeable guide describing the architecture of Tuscumbia’s National Register Historic District and sharing Christmas customs (trolley seats are on a first come, first serve basis, with donations accepted).
The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art will be holding its annual “Trees of Christmas” exhibit of towering live evergreens decorated in themes (admission charge). The Helen Keller Home will be festively decorated and holding its Holiday Open House, with reduced admission. Belle Mont Mansion, replete with traditional Christmas decorations will also be open for tours (admission).
As darkness falls, visitors to Dickens Christmas should proceed down the hill at South Main Street to Spring Park, where the newly revamped Light and Water Show will present the dancing waters set to Christmas music and train rides will be offered through the park. The holiday light vignettes in the park are ever-popular with families at this time of year.
Lest you think the day is done, join Ebenezer Scrooge and the Natchez Trace Parkway Association at 7:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Valley Country Club for the Ball of Christmas Past. Participants may join in English Country Dances led by a caller and set to live period music. You are invited to dress the part, but not required to. Tickets are available in advance at Oh! Bryan’s Downtown.
Saturday morning’s special event for runners is the Third Annual 5K Dickens Dash and the one-mile Tiny Tim Trot, both departing from the corner of 4th and Main Streets with the Trot beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Dash at 9:00 a.m. Participation requires advance registration. The runs are sponsored by Solid Rock Race Timing. (More info: www./itsyourrace.com)
“Dickens Christmas, Y’all” is sponsored by Tuscumbia Retail Development, Inc., a group of volunteers, whose goal is to grow and sustain business in the City. TRD efforts include several fund-raisers and promotional events held throughout the year, plus the business incubator / retail cooperative gift shop, Fiddledee D!
May Woodie Christopher, president of TRD, says that this year’s Dickens Christmas, will be larger than ever before, with new vendors and new activities in the works. “Make your plans to join us on the streets of downtown Tuscumbia for our fun-filled festival!”
“We are indebted to our many generous sponsors and the “Friends of the Fezziwigs” who make this family-friendly holiday event possible and we invite additional support. Signage will credit these donors at the various events.”
For more information and the complete schedule of events: www.facebook/DickensChristmas, or call TRD / Fiddledee D! at 256-383-9797. For additional holiday events and/or lodging/dining information contact Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783 or colbertcountytourism.org.
Calendar Notice:
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“It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all” will be celebrated in Tuscumbia on December 9-10. The Dickens Feast (advance tickets required) will be held at the Roundhouse of the Tuscumbia RR Depot at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 9. The Dickens Christmas Festival (free) will be held on the streets of downtown Tuscumbia on Saturday, December 10, 10 am – 5 pm. Event includes Dickens characters and carolers, with various performances throughout the day. Expect snow, carriage rides, trolley tours, arts & crafts and food vendors, Victorian dancers, and more. Sponsored by Tuscumbia Retail Development, Inc. For info: 256-383-9797 or 256-383-0783.
Media Release/Tuscumbia Retail Development, Inc.
Ninon Parker, Media Relations
