Don’t forget to come out and celebrate the annual Dickens Festival along Medford’s Main Street tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 8.
Medford Sunrise Rotary, along with Habitat for Humanity, proudly presents the 23rd Annual Dickens Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Medford Sunrise Rotary is proud to announce the 23rd Annual Dickens Festival, sponsored by Murphy’s Markets, has been scheduled for Saturday Dec. 8 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Main Street in Medford will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland in the age of Charles Dickens, with an official Town Crier to kick off the festivities and the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.
Once again, Medford Sunrise Rotary is kicking things up a notch with a celebrity guest appearance. This year’s Grand Marshal will be former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle, Tra Thomas. Thomas will join representatives from Murphy’s Markets in the honor of lighting the township’s Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m. at the Gazebo on South Main Street to begin the evening’s celebration.
Immediately following the tree lighting ceremony, there will be an opportunity for fans to meet Tra Thomas, who will be signing autographs at the Medford Sunrise Rotary and Habitat for Humanity tents.
In addition to a celebrity guest appearance, the rotary has rallied up more vendors who will be offering a variety of fudge, baked goods, candles, hand made jewelry, Christmas ornaments, and other unique gifts.
New this year, children will be able to visit Santa in the North Pole, located at Lechner’s Funeral Home at 24 N. Main Street. Also, in the spirit of Christmas, the US Marine Corps will be holding Toys for Tots drive collecting new unwrapped toys during the festival.
Once again, there will be a lighted house contest along the horse drawn carriage ride route. Riders will be able to vote for their favorite house, and the winner will be awarded with a prize at the end of the night.
Back by popular demand, will be the ice carvings of world-renowned ice sculptor Peter Slavin. Slavin is a master ice sculptor and co-founder of Fear No Ice!, which is recognized as one of the top ice sculpting companies in the world. Slavin’s custom ice sculptures were a huge hit last year. This year, Slavin will be sure to amaze with his live performance on an elevated stage. Come watch as he uses a chainsaw to turn a solid block of ice into a true work of art!
Other features this year will include, a magician and caricaturist that will surely entertain young and old alike, high school jazz band and high school choral groups. There will still be the traditional Dickens Festival entertainment we’ve grown to enjoy over the years such as the gingerbread house contest, live nativity, porch musicians, stilt walkers, the ever-popular Give and Take Jugglers, as well as a storyteller for the younger children.
The Dickens Festival, which attracts over 10,000 participants to Medford, offers a free evening of fun filled family entertainment. Murphy’s Markets is proud to be this year’s event sponsor.
Return to The Medford Sun’s website for a complete photo gallery following the event tomorrow night.
