The Medford Sunrise Rotary will once again present the 27th annual Dickens Festival on Saturday, Dec. 3 in downtown Medford. The family friendly event will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and it promises to be a magical time for children and grown-ups alike. For one night every year, Main Street in Medford is transformed into a quaint winter wonderland, featuring holiday festivities galore with an old timey flair. The festival typically attracts more than 10,000 people from within Medford and from many surrounding communities.
Exciting things get underway around 5:45 p.m., when a parade heralded by the town crier transports Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf or two to the Gazebo in the center of the downtown Village located at 18 North Main Street. Grand Marshall Ron Murphy of Murphy’s Market is once again the presenting sponsor of the Dickens Festival. The annual tree-lighting ceremony happens next, as Township Council and other local officials gather to turn the lights on at the town Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay at the Gazebo all evening long to greet children of all ages.
Visitors are invited to stroll along Main Street in Medford’s historic district, past dimly lit lampposts and shops adorned with holiday decorations and twinkling lights. Carolers dressed in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” garb will make their way up and down the street, entertaining the masses.
Various musicians — including the M-Town Jazz Jam, the Moorestown High School Madrigal Singers, Harmonia Voices a Cappella, Special Occasion Barbershop Quartet, The Brass Consort, the Geri Mingori Band, NJ School of Music, Ava Cravens (Chairville student), Shawnee High School Singers, the Voorhees Ballet Theatre, and the Ridgeway Singers — will perform favorite holiday tunes from porches along the way and on the stage.
New this year will be Marshall Steve’s pony rides. There will also be an ice carver sculpting a special holiday surprise, a moon bounce (with a “Frozen” theme), the Give ‘n Take jugglers, Stockton-Brown stilt-walkers, a face painter, a balloon artist, a town crier, the always popular Live Nativity at Tomlinson Park in front of the library, and outdoor movies (at Union and Main streets).
(Don’t be surprised to see Olaf from “Frozen” roaming the streets! And the popular Gingerbread house float from Medford’s recent Halloween Parade will also be making an appearance at this year’s festival).
Plan to do some holiday shopping, as a whole host of crafters and vendors will also be on hand: New England novelties, Beaucycled, Blue Ridge Farm roasted almonds, Cheri Beri’s Stained Glass suncatchers, Craft beer Coasters, Cupcake Wish, Duckie’s Soy Candles, Flo’s Doll Clothes, The Farmer’s Daughter, Grazing Goat natural soaps, Jersey Plate Art, Just Life Essentials, Karen & the Nut, Paws & Obey Dog Training, The Dizzy Hummingbird and Victory Tea Co.
And, of course, plenty of delicious food and beverages will be available, provided by vendors like Murphy’s Market, Boardwalk Specialties, Buzzetta’s Foods, Bacon Broads, Cape May Crab Cake Factory, Dunkin donuts Community Cruiser, Eddie’s Kettle Corn, Glazed & Confused Mini Donuts Cruiser, House of Fudge, Illiano Cucina, Jim’s Jarhead Jerky, Jeremiah’s Cheesesteaks, Johnny Churros, J Dogs, Kitchen Crewser, La Bella Pizza, Matt G Dogz, PJ Weilahans, Patti Wagon, Richie Lou’s Food Service, Spanky’s BBQ and Tasty Trolley. The Main Street eateries and craft breweries will also be open to serve visitors.
While you’re in town, check out the information tables for Medford Sunrise Rotary, B 101-More FM radio, Boys Scout Troops 26 and 48, Habitat for Humanity, Crossroads Assembly, WaWa, Kiddie Academy of Marlton, Kitchen Magic, Laurel Oaks Wealth Management Group and Sherwood Landscape, Lighting & Design.
During the Dickens Festival, the Medford Arts Center (MAC) at 18 North Main will be open and hosting an art show and other activities.
The Medford Memorial Community Center will welcome visitors with hot chocolate, cookies, Mrs. Claus and a face painter and will be hosting the Woman’s Club of Medford’s Gingerbread Contest.
The Medford Friends Meeting (Quakers) will continue more than a quarter-century cherished holiday tradition with a free concert at 7 p.m. The concert will be held in the Meeting House located at 14 Union Street. This year the concert will feature the acclaimed ChildrenSong of New Jersey, founded and directed by Polly Murray, a music educator with numerous awards to her credit. ChildrenSong will perform a variety of seasonal works and a holiday sing-along with the audience, to mention just a few. All are welcome and admission is free. More about Medford Friends can be obtained by calling (609) 953–8914.
Plan to bring your entire family and celebrate the start of the holiday season with the Annual Dickens Festival, the traditional start to the holiday season bringing over 10,000 people to Historic Medford Village every year. For information about the Dickens Festival visit the Sunrise Rotary’s website at http://www.medfordsunriserotary.org or Medford Township’s website atwww.medfordtownship.com/events.
Please note: Main Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic during the course of the event from Route 70 to Chapel Avenue. Parts of Union Street and Bank Street will also be closed. For more information, visit www.MedfordPolice.org. the week prior to the event. A listing of directions and Medford Village parking areas can be found at www.medfordtownship.com/events.
For information email: info@medfordsunriserotary.org.
