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December 4th  Breakfast With Santa Saturday, 8:00 a.m.; Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) Making a special pre-Christmas journey direct from the North Pole, Father Christmas (Santa) is inviting kids and their families to a breakfast exclusively at the YPCC! Come join Father Christmas, the YPCC and the Ebensburg Woman’s Club in celebrating the holidays. To help pay for the extra hay required by Santa’s reindeer to make this special trip, admission will be $6.00 for both children and adults or $15.00 per family of 3 or more. Please call the YPCC at 472-4277. The fee includes breakfast, crafts, story time, and a photo with Santa. Indoor Craft Fairs Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at Holy Name Church, Dauntless Fire Station & VFW
The craft fair at Holy Name Church boasts 50 vendors and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There is also a bake sale and food booth. The craft fair at Dauntless Fire Station is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Dickens of A Downtown All Day Saturday in Historic Downtown Ebensburg
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! Enjoy the cressets in Penn Eben Park, filled with wood and set aflame. A “cresset” is a basket of fire. They were kept continuously alight and placed at the focal point of a community. Around it people gathered for their meetings and social discourse. From it they took fire to light and heat their own homes. Ebensburg’s cressets are hand-made based on 18th century originals. Ice Sculptures Saturday, 9:00 a.m. in Penn Eben Park
An outstanding display of carved ice sculptures will be located in Penn Eben Park. Come and watch the talented ice carving team sculpt 23 seasonal images! Enjoy the ice throne for a memorable photo op. During Dickens of a Christmas, ice is just the tip of the iceberg.
Snow, Ice and Christmas often go together. The reason that we think of Snow and Ice at Christmas is attributed to the Victorians! It was the Victorians who gave us our “traditional” Christmas in Europe and the United States. At the start of the Victorian era (1837), Britain was in a mini ice age that was from about 1550 to 1850. During this time, in London, a winter fair was held on the frozen River Thames.
When Charles Dickens was a child, Britain had very heavy snowfalls around Christmas, so when he wrote A Christmas Carol he put lots of snow and ice in it! He also put snow at Christmas in some of his other books like The Pickwick Papers. Charles Dickens' books were very popular (and still are!) so when the Victorians read the books, they thought of snow and Christmas together!
One of the other reasons that Snow and Ice became popular in Victorian time is because Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, came from Germany where it was colder and he was used to lots of snow and ice being around at Christmas.
Gingerbread Contest & Display Saturday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Cambria County Historical Society The entire community is invited to participate in our gingerbread contest, sponsored by the Cambria County Historical Society. While the contest is for entrants age 18 and under, everyone is welcome to display their own gingerbread masterpiece! Prizes will be awarded for most creative, most original, most artistic, most representative of Cambria County’s history, and best of show.
Entries must be dropped off at the Historical Society BEFORE Dickens Weekend. Contact the Historical Society for rules
Join the fun and start your own Christmas tradition! Visit the gingerbread display during regular hours over the weekend. Courthouse Decorating Display All Day Saturday; Cambria County Courthouse
Christmas Parade Saturday, 11:00 a.m.; Downtown Ebensburg
Residents and visitors are encouraged to dress in Dickens-style costume for the parade and their afternoon in Downtown Ebensburg!
Children’s Treats & Photos Saturday, immediately following parade; Penn Eben Park As soon as his duties with the Christmas Parade are discharged, Santa Claus will visit the gazebo in Penn Eben Park. There he will distribute free Christmas treats to all good little urchins (compliments of the Ebensburg Kiwanis Club)! Mom & Dad are free to take photos of the kids with Santa, or the Dickens staff will take a photo for you and email it to you later. Photos are free!
Mrs. Buck's Sweet Shoppe Saturday, Noon-3:00 p.m.; Cambria County Historical Society Mrs. Buck has opened a “Sweets Shop” in her Victorian home on North Center Street. Stop by and enjoy a tasty pastry and a soothing cup of tea. As always, the maids and kitchen staff look forward to your visit. Mrs. Buck will be selling a variety of sweets, and prices vary. Reservations are not required. Pickwick Raceway Park Saturday, Noon; YPCC
Racing, in all of its forms, is an age-old tradition in England. Chariot racing was one of the earliest forms of racing. Something like modern horseracing began to take shape around the turn of the 17th/18th centuries. Steeplechasing developed as a winter sport with high levels of danger and violence as well as the additional dimension of jumping. It assumed its long-term form and name during the Victorian period. criticism, Culture and Anarchy, published in 1869, refers to “an account of the crowd at Epsom on Derby day, and of all the vice and hideousness which was to be seen in that crowd . . . ”. The first automobile race ever organized was in 1887 in France. It was won by Georges Bouton in a steam car he constructed himself, but as he was the only competitor to show up it is rather pointless to call it a race. The first auto race in the United States took place in 1895 in Illinois. The winner traveled the 54-mile course in 10 hours and 23 minutes. The origins of slot car racing can be traced to England, where in the late 1950s a small motorized car was first developed. A 2-lane track system was also designed for those early model cars to run on. The first track system was marketed in England by Playcraft under the brand name Electric Highways Model Motoring. Admission for this event is only two crown ($2.00) per person. Those attending can enter a time trial, with the fastest time being announced at the end of the weekend. The same fee includes slot car racing and trains. Miniature Trains Saturday, Noon - 4:00 p.m.; YPCC Choo! Choo! Switch gears and visit our huge miniature railroad. All little urchins will get a thrill operating the eight different trains!
While aboard in Ebensburg, remember that we are located in an area with a rich railroad heritage. Visit scenic points along the mainline in small neighboring towns of Summerhill and Cassandra. Check out www.ebensburgpa.com for other railroad related attractions within 30 minutes of Ebensburg such as Allegheny Portage Railroad in Cresson, Gallitzin Railroad Tunnels, Horseshoe Curve, Railroaders’ Memorial Museum in Altoona, the Johnstown train station, and Staple Bend Tunnel in Mineral Point.
Model railroading has become an integral part of Christmas in America Ironically, it is undeniable how much Dickens abhorred the rail system and the impending industrial revolution that was to sweep England (and the world) in the mid-nineteenth century. Dickens writes of railways as though they were the epitome of gloom and doom, catastrophic, as demonstrated in Dombey and Son. Charles Dickens seems to be mourning the death of a different life, one he will never return to. Dickens was using the railway and the death of a particular lifestyle as a metaphor for the death of young Paul Dombey.
Charles Dickens is mentioned in most books that were written on the history of the British Rail system, which is indicative of the fact that Dickens' critique of the railways and the industrial revolution must have reached far beyond the pages of Dombey and Son.
Admission for this event is only two crown ($2.00) per person. The same fee includes slot car racing and the trains.
Old English Prison Tour Saturday, Noon - 4:00 p.m.; Former Cambria County Prison The English practiced a peculiar form of punishment for someone who could not pay their bills – a special prison where the offender was incarcerated indefinitely until his creditors were satisfied. The fact that a person in prison was unable to work to earn the money necessary to repay the debt did not enter into their logic. Debtors often died in these prisons due to the terrible living conditions.
Dickens’ father was constantly in debt, and in 1824 he was imprisoned in Marshalsea debtor's prison. Charles Dickens was forced to leave school at the age of 12. It was his personal experience of factory work and the living conditions of the poor that inspired Dickens to frequently write of workhouses and prisons. For example, in Oliver Twist, Dickens describes Fagin crossing "a gloomy passage lighted by a few dim lamps, into the interior of the prison". In A Visit To Newgate, he refers to “the tortuous and intricate windings” of the prison. Dickens was a true champion of the poor, and repeatedly pointed out the atrocities of the system through his novels.
Remember when the charity fundraisers came to Scrooge's office looking for a handout for the needy and Scrooge responded gruffly, “Are there no prisons... and the Union workhouses, are they still in operation?" Admission for this event is free. Sleigh and Carriage Rides Saturday, Noon - 4:00 p.m.; Downtown
Carriage & sleigh rides are only five crown ($5.00) per person.
Young Ladies Yultide Tea Saturday, 12:00 p.m. Noon -1:30 p.m.; Ebensburg Library
The Ebensburg Library hosts this Yuletide Tea for young ladies between the ages of 6 and 11. The young maidens are encouraged to bring along their favorite doll or bear. In addition to the light refreshments, storytelling will also be enjoyed. Those attending will also enjoy seeing a doll collection.
Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling (814) 472-7957 or visiting the library. Cost of this event is only $5 per person. Christmas Cantata & Welsh Tea Saturday, 1:00 p.m.; First United Church of Christ Enjoy the holiday sounds of the Joint Choirs of the First United Church of Christ, the South Ebensburg United Church of Christ and Holy Name Catholic Church as they perform a Christmas Cantata. The performance will feature the Combined Chancel Choirs, the Bell Choir and the Sounds From the Porch string ensemble. Sounds From The Porch will play while you enjoy a Welsh Tea and tour of the church.
Although no longer a daily indulgence, the traditional Welsh tea was a mainstay. A mammoth baking session would take place once a week in most households. Welsh tea cakes and a rich tea loaf (also known as “speckled bread”) is still the centerpiece of many a Welsh table at teatime. There will also be a model railroad display open from 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
IceSkating Indoors Saturday, 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. Ice-skating is the topic of conversation in this excerpt from Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. “Now,” said Wardle, after a substantial lunch, with the agreeable items of strong beer and cherry-brandy, had been done ample justice to, “What say you to an hour on the ice? We shall have plenty of time. “Capital!” said Mr. Benjamin Allen. “Prime!” ejaculated Mr. Bob Sawyer. “You skate, of course, Winkle?” said Wardle. “Ye-yes; oh, yes,” replied Mr. Winkle.
Children's Activities at the YPCC Saturday, All afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m.; Young Peoples Community Center Come by the Young Peoples Community Center for some Merry Christmas party games. 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. See details of each event below. Cresson Lake Playhouse Holiday Production Saturday, 2:00 p.m.; Cambria County Courthouse
The holiday production by Cresson Lake Playhouse is one of the favorite events during Dickens, and something you and your family will not want to miss. Check out www.ebensburgdickens.com later in the year to see details of this year’s production.
Call early to reserve your seats for this family production. Admission to the production is twelve crown ($12) for adults and five crown ($5) for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (814) 472-4333 or visit www.cressonlake.com.
Scrooge & Cookies Saturday, 2:00 p.m.; Young Peoples Community Center Bah Humbug! What an unlikely duo, Ebenezer and Milk and Cookies. Kids of all ages won’t want to miss this chance to spend time with the old penny-pinching miser himself. Heck, our scrumptious cookies are sure to warm any scrooge’s appetite.
Admission for this event is $3.00. Mr. Fezziwig's Dance Saturday, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Bishop Carroll High School
Admission for this event is $20.00/person and includes light food and mixers. BYOB Tickets will be available at the door.
Cresson Lake Playhouse Holiday Production Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Cambria County Courthouse
The holiday production by Cresson Lake Playhouse is one of the favorite events during Dickens, and something you and your family will not want to miss. Check out www.ebensburgdickens.com later in the year to see details of this year’s production.
Call early to reserve your seats for this family production. Admission to the production is twelve crown ($12) for adults and five crown ($5) for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (814) 472-4333 or visit www.cressonlake.com.
The following events will take place weather permitting: 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 evening & Sat. and Sun. afternoon; 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.
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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!"