NEWS EVENTS 2017 DICKENS ON THE STRAND RETURNS WITH MORE DICKENS DESCENDANTS, CONTESTS AND FUN DECEMBER 1, 2 & 3 TO HISTORIC GALVESTON ISLAND
with holiday food and drink, Victorianinspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, and gift items. Three descendants of Charles Dickens will grace the festival as GHF welcomes Mark Charles Dickens, a great-greatgrandson; Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, a great-great-great-granddaughter; and Jane Dickens Monk, a great-greatgranddaughter. All descendants will be at numerous events throughout the weekend. “Returning to Galveston for Dickens on the Strand is a very exciting prospect, not least because this year I’ll be launching my new book, Dickens and Christmas, at the festival,” says Lucinda Dickens Hawksley. “I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and to making new ones, as well as to discover what new activities GHF has planned for us. This year, there’ll be three members of the Dickens family present, so come and say hello!”
will show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night. The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the putupon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets -- Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle -- weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases -- past, present, and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
of three topics. Details and submissions are at www.dickensonthestrand.org. Oliver’s Alley Children’s Area Children by the thousands come each year to the parades, petting zoo and more. This year’s event will feature an expanded Oliver’s Alley children’s area, presented by the Galveston Children’s Museum, where specialty programs and Galveston Island, Texas - Make history events will be scheduled all weekend at Galveston’s world-famous Victorian long. holiday festival, Dickens on The Strand! FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS Held December 1, 2 & 3, the 44th anThe festival weekend also hosts a nual festival is produced by Galveston multitude of spirited fun with events Historical Foundation and is a holiday such as the crowd favorite Whimsical tradition with great family programRETURNING FAVORITES Whisker Revue, a facial hair contest for ming, special holiday performances, Breakfast with Dickens the bearded and the dandy; the Dickens and newly created events all weekend The great-great-granddaughter of Victorian Bed Races; Victorian Coslong. This year’s festival begins Friday, Charles Dickens, Jane Monk, isn’t just tume Contest and daily parades through December 1 with free admission to Fezcoming to this year’s event to take in Galveston’s National Historic Landmark ziwig’s Beer Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the sights and share her heritage, she’s Strand District. Also, daily special and continues with ticketed admission also there to cook a traditional English events include: Saturday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 9 breakfast! Join Jane and our awardSalute To Sunset onboard the 1877 p.m. and Sunday, December 3, from 12 winning chef at the beautiful 1859 Tall Ship ELISSA to 6 p.m. Ashton Villa on Saturday, December 2 The Texas Seaport Museum transforms Tickets purchased before December 1 NEW IN 2017 or Sunday, December 3. Tickets are $60 to a London wharf for this toast to the are $13 for adults and $7 for children A Dickens Soiree at the 1892 Bishop’s and reservations are required. end of the day and beginning of the ages 7-12. Tickets purchased at the gate Palace Complimentary Book and Dickens evening. The Tall Ship ELISSA welare $15 for adults and $9 for youth. Featuring specialty acts, award-winning Writing Workshop comes you aboard Saturday, December Discounted tickets for GHF members performers and carefully curated food Dickens descendant Lucinda Dickens 2 at 4:30 p.m. for heavy appetizers, are available for $10 in advance or $12 and drink options, this new kickoff to Hawksley will lead a special writing cocktails, cannon fire and special guests at the gate. Tickets are available online the annual festival is not to be missed! workshop, “What It Was Like to be a leading up to Saturday night’s Pickwick’s at www.dickensonthestrand.org, by call- Held at the breathtaking 1892 Bishop’s Child in Dickens’ Time” each day of the Lanternlight Parade. Tickets are $50 per ing, 409-765-7834 or at all area Randall’s Palace on Friday, December 1, attendfestival for youth ages 8 and up. Also, person and reservations are required. stores beginning November 5. Attendees ees will enjoy live music by Houston’s through a special grant from the Alice Holiday Handbell Concerts in Victorian costume will be admitted Two Star Symphony, a special acrobatTaylor Gray Foundation, the first 2,000 The 1859 St. Joseph’s Church, the state’s for $8. ics presentation by Cirque La Vie, and youth that enter the festival grounds will first wooden built church, well known “Our 2017 Dickens on The Strand appearances by special guests including receive a special print edition of Charles for its exceptional acoustics, hosts three promises to be a welcomed celebration a reading by Mark Charles Dickens, Dickens’ 1838 Cricket on the Hearth. holiday handbell concerts on Friday, away from the events of the early fall,” great-great-grandson of Charles DickFezziwig’s Friday Night December 1 at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. states GHF Executive Director, Dwayne ens. Tickets are $75 and reservations are Mr. Fezziwig was everything Ebenezer Tickets are $15 per person and reservaJones. “With renewed interest and focus required. wasn’t, and we pay tribute to his jovial tions are required. on Charles Dickens, we hope to inform Dickens Costume Contest personality at our Fezziwig’s Beer Hall. Saint Arnold’s Strand Walking Tours visitors more about this great writer, but What fun is a Dickens festival if you Join us Friday evening, December 1, Learn about the history of The Strand also to have a lot of fun. Visitors of all don’t have the characters? This new from 5 to 9 p.m. for specialty acts, and enjoy some of Saint Arnold Brewages will be met with street entertainers, addition to the wildly popular costume hearty brews, and new friends all hosted ing Company’s signature ales during musicians, and special events to kick off contests puts the focus squarely on the by Dickens descendant Jane Monk. this new tour. Held twice a day during our holiday season on the Gulf Coast. beloved characters from Dickens’ literThere will also be a specialty cocktail Dickens on The Strand, you’ll visit three Whether you have been to Dickens ary works. Held on Sunday, December chosen from Cedric Dickens’ book festival pubs as you walk through the before or it’s your first time, the annual 3 at 3 p.m., and judged by our visitDrinking With Dickens. Admission is National Historic Landmark district holiday festival will bring cheer and ing Dickens descendants, registration free for this lively start to the 44th anwith your guide. Tickets are $35 per delight to the entire family. Join us again will be open for individual and family niversary. person and include three complimentaas we return to the historic downtown costumes. Registration is $10 for indiDickens Children’s Writing Contest ry beers. Advanced registration encourStrand and celebrate our holiday amidst viduals and $15 for families. Interested Could you be the next Dickens? This aged. Galveston’s great architecture and hericompetitors can sign up at the costume year’s festival will give you the chance For more information on Dickens on tage.” contest booth. to ride in a carriage with both of our The Strand, Galveston Historical FounThe annual holiday street festival, based Saturday Night Showing of The MupDickens descendants if your story is dation, or to purchase advance tickets, on 19th-century Victorian London, fea- pet Christmas Carol the winning selection! Lucinda Dickens please visit galvestonhistory.org or call tures parades, non-stop entertainment It’s been called the greatest puppetHawksley will personally select two sto- 409-765-7834. For more festival inforon multiple stages, strolling carolers, based holiday film of all time, and at ries, one from a 7-9 age range and one mation, please contact Will Wright, Diroving musicians, bagpipers, jugthis year’s Dickens on The Strand, guests from a 10-12 range, for the winner to rector of Communications and Special glers, and a host of other entertainers. can catch a free showing of The Mupaccompany them as their special guest Events at 409-765-3404 or will.wright@ Costumed vendors peddle their wares pet Christmas Carol on Saturday night! during a Dickens parade. Stories are galvestonhistory.org. from street stalls and rolling carts laden Free for all attendees, the holiday classic limited to 100 words and can be on one
6
NOVEMBER 1 - 14, 2017
PUBLIC NEWS
www.publicnewsonline.com