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December 5th  Charles Dickens – All His Works Friday, Central Cambria & Bishop Carroll High Schools
While our “Dickens” celebration offers the perfect opportunity to expose our high school students to the works of Charles Dickens, we realize they could be intimidated by the 900 page tomes he was famous for. So this year, we introduce Dickens with a short story and an excerpt from A Christmas Carol that can be read in a single sitting.
A Christmas Dinner is an early Dickens Christmas story that describes a Christmas dinner at the home of Uncle and Aunt George. It was originally published in Bell’s Life in London in 1835.
Cratchit’s Christmas is an excerpt from A Christmas Carol. Scrooge, accompanied by the Ghost of Christmas Present, visits the home of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, to observe the Cratchits’ simple Christmas celebration.
Students are encouraged to wear period costume to school on Friday.
A Dickens of a Lunch Friday, All Schools
Area schools will put the stamp of the Victorian era on the cafeteria’s menu with an opulent meal worthy of Victorian times and featuring traditional British fare that will maintain the Dickens Christmas tradition of feasting with friends. "Thank you, Mr. Scrooge!" Any reader of Dickens' story will remember that exclamation after Scrooge finds the Christmas spirit and purchases a goose to personally deliver to Bob Cratchit and his family.
Students are encouraged to wear period costume to school on Friday.
Guest Dickens Storytelling Friday afternoon, Central Cambria & Holy Name Elementary Schools
Storytelling is an activity that transcends generations. It binds people together in a warm way that never goes out of style. What better way to enjoy Dickens, a master of the art of storytelling himself, than through storytelling? Charles Dickens said, “Nothing of what is nobly done is ever lost.” We cherish this opportunity to pass these great Dickens tales on to another generation. The stories of Charles Dickens are suitable for young and old, and parents are invited to attend.
Students are encouraged to wear period costume to school on Friday.
Courthouse Office Decorating Contest Friday morning; Cambria County Courthouse
The courthouse is open to visitors all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and is a stop that the entire family will enjoy.
County employees are encouraged to wear period costume to work on Friday.
Tree Lighting & Wassailing Friday, Noon; 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. The historic stained glass dome above the rotunda displays the Cambria County seal, and allows sunlight to fill the rotunda. County employees surround the open rotunda on three levels to sing Christmas carols.
Cross-Country Skiing All Weekend; Ghost Town Trail
The Ghost Town Trail from Ebensburg to Nanty Glo is an 8-mile section of rails-to-trails that connects with 12-miles of trail to Dilltown, Indiana County! Walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, etc. have the chance to experience scenic beauty at it's finest! The Ghost Town Trail will be open the entire weekend for cross-country skiing. There is additional hiking, biking, and cross- country skiing trails in and around Ebensburg, including around the reservoirs and Lake Rowena.
It is the best of snow; it is the worst of snow (to paraphrase Dickens from A Tale of Two Cities). Sled Riding Friday, 5:00 p.m.; South Cherry Street
It was referred to as “coasting” in Victorian England. American laws have greatly restricted, and in most places prohibited, the practice, once common, of coasting on the highways. But after all, what would a Dickens Christmas be without coasting?
Warning! Riders are cautioned of the dangers inherent in sled riding. Riders are encouraged to wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets. This is not a regulated event, there is no staff available to monitor the event, and riders participate at their own risk. The Borough of Ebensburg is not responsible for injuries sustained during this risky activity. Crossing streets are barricaded; however that does not assure safe passage. The ride is bumpy at each intersection. Quality sleds should be used. There may be vehicles parked along the route. Sleds that have difficulty stopping at the bottom will cross Prave Street to a parking lot, where there will obviously be parked cars.
Light-Up Ceremony Friday, 6:00 p.m.; Gazebo Park
Period costume is encouraged, but not required.
Candlelight Walk Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Gazebo Park
Immediately following the Light-Up Ceremony, join in a candlelight walk from Gazebo Park to the Central Cambria Middle School. From there, choose to enjoy the Christmas concert, join carolers about town, or drop in for the open house at the Historical Society.
"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." [Isaiah 9:2] Those words from the prophet Isaiah told of the coming Prince of Peace, and of the light and life He would bring. Christmas arrives again with all the promise of remembrance and celebration. Christians celebrate Christmas because the light did dawn. This is the very essence of Christmas: The birth of the Savior. When Isaiah told of the coming Prince of Peace, he spoke of light dispelling darkness. The metaphor of light is central to our celebration of Christmas. After all, even as John introduces his gospel by identifying Jesus as the Word who became flesh, John also describes Jesus as "the True Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." The image of light dispelling darkness is central to our understanding of the incarnation and its meaning. It is entirely appropriate to commemorate this message of light and love with this candlelight walk.
Period costume is encouraged, but not required.
Christmas Concert Friday, 7:00 p.m.; Central Cambria Middle School Auditorium Enjoy this celebration of Christmas by local musicians including the Bishop Carroll High School Choir, Bishop Carroll Liturgical 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! Following the concert, walk across the street to the historic A. W. Buck house, home of the Cambria County Historical Society and see the many museum collections, library, and archives. Find the museum staff dressed appropriately in Dickens style offering a candlelight tour of the museum and art exhibit. Light refreshments will be available. Admission to the concert is three crown ($3.00) per person. Children's Musical Production: A King Is Coming To Town
Come along to the little town of Rumor's Mill, USA, where this morning the whole town seems to have gathered in the town square. What sparked all the excitement? A sign, posted anonymously, declaring 'A King Is Coming To Town!' Just who this King is, no one seems to know. But that hasn't stopped residents from getting ready for the upcoming event. The town reporter, Greta Van Popcorn, is on the story. Mayor Big Wheel is using the news for publicity. Sheriff Badge is trying to keep order and Barbara Booster is hoping this will get Rumor's Mill in the Top 100 Best Towns in America. Is it King Tut, King Kong, or the King of Rock & Roll? Drew and Ellie have the answer, as they want to tell the real story of Christmas.
The performances, at the church, will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be fellowship and refreshments following the performances each evening. Admission is FREE, but donations are welcome.
Cresson Lake Playhouse Holiday Production
Friday, 8:00 p.m.; Cambria County Courthouse Those boys in Plaid are back for the Holidays! Doo-wop meets Yuletide in Plaid Tidings, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Forever Plaid. In this holiday musical, the Plaid boys continue their supernatural saga returning from the afterlife – again – to play their very own Christmas Special with a host of great holiday songs sure to get everyone feeling a lot like Christmas.
Admission to the production is ten crown ($10) for adults and five crown ($5) for children. Call early to reserve your seats. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (814) 472-4333 or visit www.cressonlake.com.
Wassailing Tours Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Got pudding? If not, it's time to stock up - especially on the figgy variety. Because if carolers show up at your door singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," be warned: They won't go until they get some. Some of the earliest carols still in common use today date back to the 17th Century, like "Greensleeves." By the 19th century, caroling evolved into a purely Christmas treat, spurred on by the work of Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
In Dickens’ day, there were special wassailing songs offered by groups of children (sometimes of the poor) out wassailing through their community. They were often composed by the singers and conveyed musical wishes for good-health. Of course one of their important purposes was the solicitation of special holiday drink, food or money. The wassailers customarily carried bowls of the hot drink, wassail, and offered sips to prospective donors. The practice of begging from door to door remained well into the 20th century, even in America. In the 1930s and ‘40s, New York City children dressed in ragged clothing and dirtied their faces, rang doorbells and asked for pennies. Residents are encouraged to form their own caroling groups. It’s great holiday fun for those participating, and it’s enjoyed by the community. All “wassailers” are encouraged to dress in Victorian Dickens style costume in the spirit of the event.
Luminaries & Art Exhibit Opening: "Cambria Victoriana" The historic A. W. Buck house, home of the Cambria County Historical Society, will be aglow with hundreds of luminaries that lead visitors into the holly-decked halls of the 15-room Queen Anne Victorian mansion. Come see the delightful holiday house at night and enjoy some light refreshments. This year the Historical Society joins the Ebensburg Art Alliance for an exhibit in the community room. “Cambria Victoriana” features area artists interpreting themes from Cambria County’s history and/or the Victorian Era. The A.W. Buck House was built in 1890 (only 20 years after Dickens’ death) in the Victorian Queen Anne Style. The house belonged to a well-known local banker, and more recently served as a convent until the Society acquired it in 1991. Open house at the Historical Society will continue throughout the weekend. There is no charge for this event.
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The decorating contest at the courthouse renews
a tradition wherein the doors to various county row offices are decorated for
the holiday season. Winners will be announced during the courthouse tree lighting
ceremony.
Wassailing is the custom of going door-to-door
singing carols with a wooden wassail bowl, in hopes of gifts of food and drink.
Each region in England had its own traditional "wassailing songs." These songs
all had the same theme: to bid good health to neighbors, friends, "kin and
kinsfolk," and all the cows, horses, dogs, and apple trees within the village
bounds. All the best for a Joyous and Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and
Prosperous New Year!
Wait until you try this! An experience unheard
of anymore today, actually sled riding down a borough street! South Cherry
Street stretches for five blocks between Ebensburg’s downtown and the Ghost Town
Trail. During certain periods over the weekend, it will be available for sled
riding, weather and conditions permitting. The hill doesn't look like much from
the bottom, but from the top, it screams "Sled me!"
This traditional opening of Ebensburg’s
Christmas season is made bigger and better for the Dickens celebration. The
Mayor will proclaim the official opening of Ebensburg’s “Dickens of a
Christmas”. Those attending will be invited to sing Christmas carols. 
