10th Anniversary of A dickens Holiday

Produced by the Arts Council with the Downtown Alliance

2009 Contest Winners

A Dickens Costume Contest

(listed in order of first, second and third place):

Children’s division: Kane Cline, Kayleigh Cashwell, Jasmine Locklear
Youth: Rhianna Ballard, Kora Cline, Kaylen Godbold
Teen: Claudia Schultz, Kara Reese, Caitlin Mullens
Men: John Taylor Brantley, Andrew Sloggy
Women: Gina Ross, Alvia Locklear, Amanda Cashwell
Dickens characters: Elena Ahvee-Marrah, Allie Ahvee-Marrah, Isabel Ahvee-Marrah

H&H Homes Professional Gingerbread House Contest winners:

First Place: Future Culinarians of America at Fayetteville Technical Community College
Second Place: Baking and Pastry Arts Club of Sandhills Community College
Third Place: Dietary Department of Cape Fear Valley Health System

People’s Choice: First Place -- FTCC’s culinary club. Second Place: Cape Fear Valley Health System.

A Family Tradition Continues
On Friday, Nov. 27, from 1 until 9 p.m., Historic Downtown Fayetteville will again be transformed into a unique and wonderful experience.

Ever wish for a simpler time … when the pace of life wasn't hectic and families still enjoyed spending evenings together? Roll back the clock with us for A Dickens Holiday.

Horse drawn carriages roll up and down Hay Street, carrying shoppers the old fashioned way by merchants, artisans and vendors of all sorts of delightful treats. Joyful children pose with Father Christmas for memory laden pictures. The inviting aroma of cider and gingerbread permeate the chilly air.

Perhaps you will be greeted by Tiny Tim and his family. Or maybe you will encounter Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past. Throughout the day, sounds of the season fill the air as carolers and musicians stroll among the crowd. Don’t miss the exhibition of professional chefs competing in the Dickens Holiday Classic Gingerbread Competition in the Rainbow Room.

As darkness approaches and the clock reaches 5 p.m., townspeople gather in front of the Arts Council for the candlelight procession to join behind the carriage carrying Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens to the Market House. There, the two will address the waiting crowd followed by the tree lighting. For a special “audience” with the Queen and Mr. Dickens, visit the Metropolitan Room, where both will be greeting the public at 6:45 p.m. You won’t want to leave as shortly thereafter, the Dickens Costume Contest begins.

The evening continues with a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m.

A Dickens Holiday is sponsored in part by:

The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville PWC, the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

To see the Fayetteville PWC's "Community Connection" video
of A Dickens Holiday, click here.

Be sure to catch these special events:

Hot Cider & Gingerbread help keep you warm throughout the day. Vendor stalls on every block of Hay Street. 50¢ each.

Preserve a lifetime memory with a picture of you and your loved ones with Father Christmas
and our authentic Victorian sleigh at the Arts Council Building $5 per print.

Amazing holiday entertainment at the Arts Council Building and the Metropolitan Room, Green Street at the Market House.

Create an original Victorian ornament to take home or hang on the community tree. 1-7 p.m. at Fascinate-U Children’s Museum.

Watch professional chefs build magical gingerbread houses right before your eyes. 1-5 p.m. at the Rainbow Room. $500 first prize award! Winner announced at 6:30 p.m. Vote for “People’s Choice Award” until 9 p.m.

TUBACHRISTMAS free concert hosted by Hay Street United Methodist Church. This all tuba and euphonium concert is a holiday tradition first started at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink in 1974 and has been performed all over the world. Anyone who has ever
enjoyed a Tuba Chr istmas concert will never forget this unique experience! Get a sneak-peek at the Metropolitan Room stage.

Victorian Carriage Rides 1-9 p.m. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a “Dickens” downtown on our big decorated horse-drawn hitch wagon. Only $10 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets on sale at 222 Hay Street beginning at noon on the day of the event. Come early – they sell out fast!

Queen Victoria Carriage Rides 1-9 p.m. Enjoy a longer, more personal tour of historic downtown Fayetteville in this intimate setting. Tours leave from the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, Franklin and Maxwell streets. $15 per person. Discover treasures of the Transportation Museum and marvel at the Victorian model train display while you wait for your carriage. Advance ticket purchase recommended by calling (910) 678-8899.

This Victorian Life display on 2nd floor of the Market House - exhibit of authentic artifacts and historic information from the mid to late Victorian period.

Candlelight Procession and Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Gather in front of the Arts Council Building at 5 p.m. for the candlelight procession to the Market House. Pick up a free candle at selected merchants while shopping during the afternoon, or in front of the Arts Council Building.
Join thousands of townspeople for Fayetteville’s largest candlelight procession, led by Queen Victoria herself! Enjoy a brief performance by Gilbert Theater actors atop the Market House! Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria will address the townspeople and Tiny Tim will “throw the switch” to light the Community Tree!

A Dickens Costume Contest 6:30 p.m., free admission, the Metropolitan Room. Win cash prizes in men’s, women’s, and children’s categories. Entry fee only $10. Contestants model authentic Victorian costumes from the Dickens era (1830-1860) that they have created. This fun, popular event begins with a “Piccadilly Promenade” and a fire-side chat with Charles Dickens.

2009 Costume Contest Winners: