Medford Sunrise Rotary
presents the 26nd Annual Dickens Festival
along with sponsor Murphy’s Markets
Come and be part of the Dickens Festival
The Medford Sunrise Rotary joyously invites you to the 26th annual Dickens Festival as it transforms the historic Medford Main Street on Saturday, December 5th from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The festivities begin with the parade transporting Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grand Marshall Ron Murphy of Murphy's Markets, the presenting sponsor of the Dickens Festival, to the Gazebo at 18 North Main Street at 6:15 pm. Come witness the annual tree lighting ceremony as the town officials turn the lights on. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Gazebo all evening long to greet children of all ages.
Stroll along through downtown Medford's historic district, past dimly lit lampposts and lights strung across the street and quaint shops decked out with twinkling lights and adorned for the holidays.
The holiday spirit will overflow from carolers along the street and bands on porches playing your favorite holiday tunes. Stop and listen.
Along with the live music, you will find your favorite food vendor, or perhaps a new one, crafters, jugglers, face painters, stilt walkers, and of course the live nativity scene, a family favorite, at Tomlinson Park (across from the Pinelands Library), sponsored by the Medford United Methodist Church.
Come, sit for a spell, have a bite to eat at the food court (Union & Main) where an inflatable movie screen showing holiday movies can entertain the little children (and big ones too!).
Be sure to drop in at 2 North Main to be mesmerized by the magician.
And who wouldn't want their face painted by an elf (to be found at Audio Video Concepts 26 South Main).
The ice carvers will be sculpting a favorite "chilly" friend.
And even a popular float from the Halloween parade is making an appearance.
A special treat will be a feature stage with several bands captivating you with tunes of the holiday.
Look for the Marines truck as they will be collecting Toys for Tots.
The local radio station B101 More FM will be doing a live remote from the festival.
The Medford Arts Center (MAC), located at 18 North Main Street will host an art show.
The Medford Memorial Community Center, located at 21 South Main Street, will welcome visitors with live music performed by OneNote String Ensemble, Mrs. Claus, a face painter, hot chocolate & cookies.
The Medford Friends Meeting (Quakers) will continue more than a quarter-century cherished holiday tradition with a free concert at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be held in the Meeting House located at 14 Union Street. This year the concert will feature the acclaimed ChildrenSong of New Jersey, founded and directed by Polly Murray, a music educator with numerous awards to her credit. ChildrenSong will perform a variety of seasonal works and a holiday sing-along with the audience, to mention just a few. All are welcome and admission is free. More about Medford Friends can be obtained by calling 609-953-8914.
The Pinelands Branch Library, located at the intersection of South Main Street & Allen Avenue, will remain open on Dickens Festival Night to provide facilities (bathrooms)and limited library services. Also, on Dickens Festival Night, the Library will be hosting a family Christmas show from 7:00-8:00 pm, performed in period costume. Please see the link below for detail, under OLD CHRISTMAS.
http://trishchambersproductions.com/history_alive.html#anchor_06
Plan to bring your entire family and celebrate the start of the holiday season with the Annual Dickens Festival, the traditional start to the holiday season bringing over 10,000 people to Historic Medford Village every year. For information about the Dickens Festival visit the Sunrise Rotary's website at http://www.medfordsunriserotary.org or for directions and parking visit Medford Township's website at www.medfordtownship.com/events.
Please note: Main Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic during the course of the event from Route 70 to Chapel Avenue. Parts of Union Street and Bank Street will also be closed. For more information, visit www.MedfordPolice.org. the week prior to the event. A listing of directions and Medford Village parking areas can be found at www.medfordtownship.com/events
For information email: info@medfordsunriserotary.org