That Fezziwig, he throws the best holiday parties.
The merry soul from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will play host to a festive bash with food, music and parlor games during the 31st Annual Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, scheduled for Dec. 6-9.
Fezziwig and his wife will join Ebenezer Scrooge, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit and Dickens himself at “Dinner With Dickens & Company” from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the American Philatelic Society Building — one of the many events and activities planned for Bellefonte’s traditional celebration.
Along with the Brian Belge Dickens Troupe actors, who hail from Lititz and will stroll the streets entertaining visitors throughout the weekend, the 2012 Victorian Christmas features more than 70 arts and craft vendors, carriage rides, puppet shows, free concerts, a gingerbread house contest, a Victorian high tea and Santa Claus on the Diamond.
“We try to stress we have something for everybody,” said Sally Houser, Victorian Christmas chairwoman.
Under the auspices of the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association, the festival ushers in the holiday season every December with crowds flocking to Bellefonte’s historic central downtown. This year the extravaganza adds the Centre County United Way’s Festival of Trees fundraiser, which moved from Penn State’s Snider Agricultural Arena to the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap.
Trees decorated by local businesses and organizations will fill the school’s auditorium, on display 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 8; and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. Free shuttle buses will run from Bellefonte Area High School on Bishop Street and the Diamond downtown.
The high tea also moves to a new location, at the Reynolds Mansion at 101 W. Linn St. Seating is limited for the popular event, so reservations are recommended for the three teas: 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 8, and 2 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for youth, and can be purchased at the Cool Beans coffee shop and Victorian Rose boutique.
Also new, Santa will have a fancy abode for his customary spot, thanks to industrious CPI students.
“They’re doing a fantastic job building the house,” Houser said. “It’s just going to be absolutely beautiful.”
Kicking off the weekend, A Gaslight Gala: “Scrooge’s Wedding Ball” at 7 p.m. Dec. 6, will bring live music, caroling, Victorian social dancing and a catered dinner to the American Philatelic Society building.
Tickets, at $75 each or $550 for a table of eight, and a silent auction will benefit the Centre County United Way. Seats must be purchased in advance, and will be sold at the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce in the old train station on High Street, Cool Beans or Victorian Rose.
At 6:30 p.m. the next day, the celebration officially opens in the Bellefonte Elementary School auditorium with orchestral music, local choirs and hot chocolate afterward.
Then over the weekend, revelers can pick up holiday gifts from the artists and vendors at the elementary school, middle school and Centre County YMCA’s Bellefonte branch. One middle school artist will carve wooden Santas before shoppers’ eyes.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, Dec. 6
• A Gaslight Gala: “Scrooge’s Wedding Ball,” 7 p.m., American Philatelic Society Building, 100 Match Factory Place.
• Gingerbread House contest, all day, Diamond Deli, 103 N. Allegheny St.
Friday, Dec. 7
• Dickens strolling characters, carolers and musicians, all day, Saturday and Sunday, various locations
• Opening ceremonies with Charles Dickens and the Bellefonte Community Band, Bellefonte Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade choir, Bellefonte Area Middle School Women’s Chorale, St. John’s Elementary School Choir and “Mr. Fezziwig’s Christmas Party,” 6:30 p.m.
• Cookies and hot chocolate reception after the ceremony, Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
Saturday, Dec. 8
• Breakfast with Santa and Victorian Christmas children’s party, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Lambert Hall, Blanchard Street.
• Puppet Meister, 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
• Better book and craft sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Centre County Library, 200 N. Allegheny St.
• Victorian arts and crafts show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Bellefonte Family YMCA, High Street, and Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
u Victorian high tea and brunch with Dickens, 10 a.m., Reynolds Mansion, 101 W. Linn St.
• Ancient Echoes concert, 10 a.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Centre County Library and Historical Museum events, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Centre County Library, 203 N. Allegheny St.
• Girl Scout open house, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Carriage House behind Centre County Library and Museum, 203 N. Allegheny St.
• Horse drawn carriage rides, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in front of Brockerhoff Building, Allegheny Street
• Bellefonte Art Museum displays, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Bellefonte Art Museum, 133 N. Allegheny St.
• Welcome Santa with the Bellefonte Area High School brass band, 11:45 a.m., Diamond in front of the the Centre County Courthouse
• Santa’s house, noon-4 p.m., in front of the Centre County Courthouse
• St. John the Evangelist folk choir, 4 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Children’s tea and art activities, 1 and 3 p.m., Bellefonte Art Museum, 133 N. Allegheny St.
• Allegria Ensemble, 1 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Victorian high tea with Dickens, 1 and 3 p.m., Reynolds Mansion, 101 W. Linn St.
• Historic downtown walking tour, 2 p.m., departs from Centre County Courthouse
• Callanish, 2 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Toot-in-Common, 3 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Dinner with Dickens and Company, 6-8 p.m., American Philatelic Society Building, 100 Match Factory Place.
• Bellefonte Community Band, 7:30 p.m., Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
• Bellefonte Women’s Club homes tour, 7 p.m., various locations
Sunday, Dec. 9
• Puppet Meister, 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
• Horse-drawn carriage rides, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in front of Brockerhoff Building, Allegheny Street
• Victorian arts and crafts show, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bellefonte Family YMCA, High Street, and Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St.
• Santa’s house, noon-4 p.m., in front of the Centre County Courthouse
• Centre County Library and Historical Museum events, noon-4 p.m., 203 N. Allegheny St.
• Victorian high tea with Dickens, 2 p.m., Reynolds Mansion, 101 W. Linn St.
• Children’s Victorian tea and art activities, 2 p.m., 133 N. Allegheny St.
• Nittany Valley Symphony Youth Flute Choir, 2 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Historic Downtown Walking Tour, 2 p.m., departs from Centre County Courthouse
• Phil Bressler and Andrea Noid Flute Duo, 3 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
• Bellefonte Victorian Christmas Community Choir, 7:30 p.m., Bellefonte High School theater on East Bishop Street