With November ending and Winter weather beginning, festivities and that holiday spirit are stirring up. One such festivity is the annual Dickens Festival, held every first Saturday of December on Medford’s Main Street! The Sinclairs, who have been involved with the magical Winter Wonderland for 23 years, have opened up the Community Center to hold old-fashioned Christmas carolling, free hot chocolate, and other treats. As a student writer for the Shawnee High School Renegade Report, I was given the opportunity to interview the Sinclairs to gain insight on the history surrounding the Dickens Festival and its evolution.
The Dickens Festival began in the 1940’s and had a strong emphasis on Victorian fashion. Of course, it was named after Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol,” but outside of caroling, a few performers, and a live nativity scene, there was a lot less going on. “Now it’s much more like a carnival, ” Mrs. Sinclair described, with the vendors and kiosks lining on Main Street. That original focus on “Christmas Carol” is still there, however it’s expanded to offer much more to enjoy- from “A Christmas Carol” reenactment to the Dickensian VIctorian Fashion Show held by Cattel’s and their sewing students.
Mr. Sinclair recalled one time about 10 years ago where during night, it snowed during the festival at around 8 o’clock. “It was just perfect,” he said, going on to say it as a surreal experience, watching the powder fall down from the sky above the vendors and people. While the snow didn’t stick and melted right away, it was something out of a movie for that half hour.
An interesting tidbit that the Sinclairs shared with me was how wreaths used to be indicative of the level of wealth a family had. Depending what was on a wreath, like the type of fruit, it showed what one could afford. One such fruit that symbolized wealth were pineapples, oddly enough. This was because they were imported, and thus their rarity and cost became a symbol of status.
Definitely one thing to remember is the Community Center! It’s a welcoming place to take refuge from the persistent, cold winds, and have some delicious (free) hot chocolate to warm you up. It’s open throughout the entire festival and is a great place to take a break from walking. I help out every year with making and handing out the hot chocolate, and it’s an enjoyable experience every time.
Other upcoming events here in Medford include the Holiday Cookie Plate Paint at Dory’s Cafe on the 17th at 6:00 PM, and Food Truck Thursday at Mainstreet in Medford, this upcoming Thursday on the 18th. If you weren’t able to stop by the Dickens’ Fest last weekend, make sure to not miss it next year for a cheerful night of Festivities!
