A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS THIS WEEKEND IN EBENSBURG

Transcription

1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Christine Strugala November 28, 2006 (814) A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS THIS WEEKEND IN EBENSBURG Ebensburg The 1 st annual A Dickens of a Christmas event will take place this weekend, December 1-3, in various locations throughout downtown Ebensburg. This Victorian event will take you back in time to enjoy an old-fashioned holiday said Christine Strugala, Community Development Director. Our light-up ceremony will officially kick off the event. The annual light-up night will take place Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Gazebo Park (center of town). A candlelight walk to Central Cambria Middle School for a concert will follow. Among many highlights, IUP s Culinary School will carve 23 ice sculptures in Memorial Park (next to the old jail along Center Street) on Saturday. Two ice thrones will be carved for people to sit on for a great photo opportunity. Vendors will sell holiday food and drink, and there will be sleigh and carriage rides for the whole family to enjoy. Advance tickets are required for the adult dance with Stillwater on Saturday evening, said Strugala. The holiday home tour tickets have already sold out. Tickets for the dance with Stillwater must be purchased by 4:00 p.m. this Thursday, November 30 th. For tickets, please stop in at the Ebensburg Borough Office, 300 West High Street, during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.). Other events will include: two craft shows, holiday home and church tours, dances, Victorian teas, a model train show, and so much more (see attached schedule). A complete schedule of events can be found at or call (814)

2 Friday, December 1st Dickens Lesson Plans, A Dickens of a Lunch, and Storytelling Students, faculty, administration and parents at all Ebensburg schools will celebrate a Dickens-style Christmas! Courthouse Office/Door Decorating Contest Visit the historic Cambria County Courthouse where the doors to various county row offices are decorated for the holiday season. Tree Lighting & Wassailing 1:00 p.m.; Cambria County Courthouse - Join the Cambria County Commissioners and county employees as they bring in the Christmas season at the courthouse with the lighting of the 30 tall Christmas tree, positioned in the rotunda of the courthouse. Employees surround the open rotunda on three levels to sing Christmas carols. Blessing of Nativity 4:00 p.m.; Cambria County Courthouse - Employees and visitors will gather in the front yard for the blessing of the Christmas nativity scene. Cross-Country Skiing Sled Riding 5:00 p.m.; South Cherry Street - An experience unheard of anymore today, actually sled riding down a borough street! During certain periods over the weekend, Cherry Street will be available for sled riding, weather and conditions permitting. Light-Up Ceremony 6:00 p.m.; Gazebo Park - The Mayor proclaims the official opening of Ebensburg s Dickens of a Christmas. Sing Christmas carols and warm up with hot chocolate. Candlelight Walk 6:30 p.m.; Gazebo Park - Join in a candlelight walk from Gazebo Park to the Central Cambria Middle School. Christmas Concert 7:00 p.m.; Central Cambria Middle School Auditorium - Enjoy this celebration of Christmas by local musicians including the Bishop Carroll High School Choir, Central Cambria High School Chorus, Holy Name Choir, Holy Name Bell Choir, Presbyterian Choir, Presbyterian Bell Choir, Sounds From The Porch String Quartet, and The Temple Choir! Admission to the concert is three crown ($3.00) per person. 8:00 p.m.; Central Cambria High School Auditorium - Don t shoot your eye out! Admission to the production is ten crown ($10) adults/ five Open House 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.; Cambria County Historical Society - Enjoy a candlelight tour of the museum and art exhibit. Coca-Cola Teen Dance 8:00 p.m.; YPCC Recreation Center - Admission is a pound & ten shilling ($6.00) & includes food/drink. Saturday, December 2 nd Craft Fair 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at Holy Name Church and 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. at Dauntless Fire Station Breakfast with Santa 9:00 a.m.; Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) - Admission is $5.00 children & adults or $12.00 per family of 3 or more; includes breakfast, crafts, story time, and a photo with Santa. This event is hosted by the Ebensburg Womans Club. Victorian Village 9:00 a.m. in Memorial Park, West Sample Street and throughout Downtown - The streets of historic Downtown Ebensburg will come alive with the Christmas spirit. Wander into a local restaurant or pub offering Dickens-era food and ale; shop for antiques and collectibles; enjoy checking out the Victorian Costumes! In Victorian Ebensburg, don t be surprised if you run into Father Christmas! You will have the pleasure of walking tree-lined streets outlined by Victorian lampposts, resting on a Victorian park bench and simply enjoying an old-fashioned holiday. It s a day right out of Currier & Ives in Downtown Ebensburg! Ice Sculptures 9:00 a.m.; Memorial Park - An outstanding display of carved ice sculptures is located throughout Memorial Park. Come and watch the talented ice carving team from IUP s Culinary School sculpt 23 seasonal images! Enjoy two ice thrones for a memorable photo op.

3 Cross-Country Skiing Model Train Show & Sale Noon 4:00 p.m.; Municipal Building - Visit a huge model railroad display, 18 wide and 36 long! Admission is only ten shillings ($2.00) for adults; the little urchins are free! Sounds of the Season Singing groups will sing holiday favorites and spread Christmas cheer all afternoon long. Christmas Parade Noon; Downtown Ebensburg - The Ebensburg Christmas Parade is a grand tradition! The theme for this year s parade is A Victorian Celebration. Children s Treats Immediately following parade; Dauntless Fire Company - Santa Claus will visit the Dauntless Fire Company to distribute Christmas treats to all good little urchins! Children s Activities at the YPCC! Immediately following parade; Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) - The YPCC is the place for great Christmas games that are ideal for all ages. In order to cover costs of materials, all events at the YPCC have a $3.00 fee. A daily wristband costs only $10.00 and allows the wearer to participate in all events that afternoon! Christmas Games With Altoona Curve s Steamer 12:30 2:00 p.m. (immediately following parade); Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) Open House & Art Exhibit 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.; Cambria County Historical Society - During the entire weekend the Ebensburg Art Alliance and Cambria County Sleigh Rides & Pony Rides 12:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.; Memorial Park, North Center Street - Experience an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride or carriage ride through charming Ebensburg, or a pony ride around the park. Carriage & sleigh rides are only fifteen shilling ($3.00) per person. Pony rides are one crown ($1.00). Ice Skating Indoors 1:00 p.m.; North Central Recreation Center - Cambria County s indoor skating facility will be open all afternoon and evening during Dickens for ice-skating. There is a fee for this activity. Rental skates are available. Christmas Music Preparations & Model Train Display Beginning at 10 a.m. and all afternoon long; First United Church of Christ - Enjoy the holiday sounds as the church s Drum Circle Worship, Adult Choir and Bell Choir rehearse and prepare for the Christmas season. Visit a model train display and partake in Welsh Tea and cakes. Family Chat with Mr. Dickens & Victorian Gingerbread Tea 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., & 4:00 p.m.; Ebensburg Presbyterian Church - Join a lively 15-minute chat with Mr. Dickens followed by a Victorian Tea and dessert downstairs. Begins each hour on the hour. Old English Prison Tour 1:00 p.m.; Former Cambria County Prison Take a self-guided tour of the 19 th century lockup, built in 1872, two years after Dickens death. Sled Riding 1:00 p.m.; South Cherry Street - An experience unheard of anymore today, actually sled riding down a borough street! During certain periods over the weekend, Cherry Street will be available for sled riding, weather and conditions permitting. Storytelling The Night Before Christmas 2:00 p.m.; Ebensburg Library - Children will hear two holiday classics, The Night Before Christmas and The Legend of the Christmas Stocking. Scrooge & Cookies 2:00 p.m.; YPCC - What an unlikely duo, Ebenezer and Milk and Cookies. Sugar Plum Fairy Face Painting 3:00 p.m.; YPCC - Bring your little one to the YPCC and choose a festive and merry design to wear on his or her happy little face. Join our Sugar Plum Fairy as she enlightens her guests with an enchanting holiday tale. Event is free. Storytelling A Christmas Carol 4:00p.m.; Ebensburg Library - Children will enjoy hearing A Christmas Carol, followed by The Light of Christmas. Christmas Crafts With Mrs. Claus 4:00 p.m.; YPCC - Fill your house with holiday spirit using these favorite Christmas crafts for kids. In order to cover the costs of materials, $10.00 fee for this event.

4 Movie: Mr. Magoo s Christmas Carol 4:00 p.m.; YPCC An animated children s favorite! Admission for this event is $3.00, or daily wristband. Includes the YPCC bottomless pit of popcorn. Open House & Art Exhibit 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.; Cambria County Historical Society - During the entire weekend the Ebensburg Art Alliance and Cambria County Wassailing With Cookies & Crumpets 7:00 p.m.; First Christian Church - For all ages. Enjoy hot spice cider, cookies and crumpets! Join in singing Christmas carols in a Victorian oldworld atmosphere. Children s Wassailing Tour 7:00 p.m.; YPCC - Stroll the streets of Ebensburg sharing with our residents the wonderful sounds of the season. Everyone is welcome back to the YPCC for hot apple cider and hot chocolate after caroling. Caroling w/tres Dias Singers & Organ Concert; Dr. Joan DeVee Dixon 7:00 p.m.; First United Church of Christ - Enjoy the Tres Dias Christmas Caroling led by around 20 guitarists and many singers. Following caroling, a holiday concert by internationally renowned organist Dr. Dixon. Mr. Fezziwig s Ball, Adult Dance with Stillwater *Advance tickets required* 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m.; Bishop Carroll High School - Admission is $20.00/person and includes food and drink. 8:00 p.m.; Central Cambria High School Auditorium - Don t shoot your eye out! Admission to the production is ten crown ($10) adults/ five Sunday, December 3 rd Cross-Country Skiing Craft Fair 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. at Dauntless Fire Station Victorian Village 10:00 a.m. in Memorial Park, West Sample Street and throughout Downtown - The streets of historic Downtown Ebensburg will come alive with the Christmas spirit. Wander into a local restaurant or pub offering Dickens-era food and ale; shop for antiques and collectibles; enjoy checking out the Victorian Costumes! In Victorian Ebensburg, don t be surprised if you run into Father Christmas! You will have the pleasure of walking tree-lined streets outlined by Victorian lampposts, resting on a Victorian park bench and simply enjoying an old-fashioned holiday. It s a day right out of Currier & Ives in Downtown Ebensburg! Ice Sculptures 10:00 a.m.; Memorial Park - An outstanding display of carved ice sculptures by IUP s Culinary School is located throughout Memorial Park. Enjoy 23 seasonal images and two ice thrones for a memorable photo op. Model Train Show & Sale Noon 4:00 p.m.; Municipal Building - Visit a huge model railroad display, 18 wide and 36 long! Admission is only ten shillings ($2.00) for adults; the little urchins are free! Storytelling 12 Days of Christmas Noon; Ebensburg Library - Bring the kids to hear two great holiday classics, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Papa s Christmas Gift. Pony Rides Noon; Memorial Park, North Center Street - The kids will enjoy a pony ride around Memorial Park. Teddy Bear Tea Noon; YPCC - Adults and children of all ages are treated to a lavish high tea, including scones with jams, a variety of finger sandwiches, sugar cookies, assorted teas and fruit punch. Additionally, there will be a special visit from Santa Claus with a gift for each child, as well as holiday entertainment throughout the afternoon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bears to share the afternoon tea! Mom can leave kids at this event while she attends Decorating Tips With Mrs. Claus! In order to cover the costs of materials, there is a $15.00 fee for this event. Decorating Tips with Mrs. Claus (Adult Program) Make Your Own Natural Holiday Wreath Noon; YPCC - The class will teach participants how to craft holiday wreaths, garlands and table decorations using natural materials. All materials, supplies and equipment needed to create your decorations provided. $15.00 fee.

5 Sled Riding Noon; South Cherry Street - An experience unheard of anymore today, actually sled riding down a borough street! During certain periods over the weekend, Cherry Street will be available for sled riding, weather and conditions permitting. Christmas Family Skate Indoors 1:00 p.m.; North Central Recreation Center - Cambria County s indoor skating facility will be open all afternoon and evening during Dickens for ice-skating. There is a fee for this activity. Rental skates are available. Open House/Ebensburg Art Alliance Exhibit 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.; Cambria County Historical Society - During the entire weekend the Ebensburg Art Alliance and Cambria County Holiday Home Tours *SOLD OUT* Holiday Church Tours, Self-guided 1:00 p.m. - During the afternoon hours, tour at your leisure three of the area s churches, all decorated for the holiday season. Churches participating are Ebensburg Presbyterian, First United Church of Christ and First Christian Church. 2:00 p.m.; Central Cambria High School Auditorium - Don t shoot your eye out! Admission to the production is ten crown ($10) adults/ five Storytelling 2:00 p.m.; Ebensburg Library - Children will be entertained by the reading of holiday stories. Movie: Mickey s Christmas Carol 2:00 p.m.; YPCC - A retelling of the classic Dicken's tale with Mickey and the gang. Admission is $3.00 and includes the YPCC bottomless pit of popcorn. Christmas Concert: Ceremony of Carols 7:00 p.m.; Holy Name Church - Bring Ebensburg s Dickens of a Christmas to a close at this wonderful holiday concert! The combined men s and women s choirs of Holy Name Catholic Church, the Saint Francis University Singers and an instrumental ensemble perform Emmanuel, God With Us; a ceremony of carols. Free. -END-