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Thursday   5/23/2013

Dickens of a Christmas

 


 

 

 Ripon's Dickens of a Christmas began when a handful of dedicated community members decided to organize a Victorian-themed festival as a tribute to the stunning Victorian architecture and homes throughout Ripon.  It was also a thank you to the community and businesses for their support throughout the year.  It has since grown and become one of Ripon's premiere festivals held every year the first weekend of December.

You are invited to take a step back in time with Ripon's unique festival.  Event highlights include Living Windows in downtown businesses on Friday evening, carriage rides through Historic Downtown Ripon, a Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dickens of a Quilt Show, Enchanted Forest of trees sponsored by area organizations, Breakfast with Santa and much, much more throughout the weekend.  Celebrating its 22nd year in 2012, the festival will kick off on Thursday, November 29 and goes through Sunday, December 2, 2012.

 Check out Dickens Living Windows 2010 in this short video courtesy of Ripon College.

  Enjoy photos of the past and join Dickens fans at https://www.facebook.com/DickensOfAChristmas

Dickens of a Christmas
November 30 - December 2, 2012
Ripon, Wisconsin

PLAN NOW to spend the weekend enjoying the Holiday Season!
Click here for lodging information
 

Photo Courtesy of Ripon Commonwealth Press

2012 Schedule of Events
Sponsored by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce
Check back often.  The schedule will be updated throughout the year.
 
CLICK HERE for a printable schedule of Dickens activities
For more information or to have a Dickens brochure sent to you,
please call 920.748.6764 or email
chamber@ripon-wi.com
 


Throughout the Weekend (Schedule subject to change)

Spend the Weekend in Ripon
Come Friday for Living Windows and stay the weekend
So you have plenty of time to see and do everything!
Find out about our great places to stay.

Dickens of a Quilt Show
Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street
See schedule below for times

Enchanted Forest
First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street
See schedule below for times


Photo courtesy of Ripon Commonwealth Press
 
Christmas Crèche Display
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street
View over 150 Nativity collections including ones from Africa Spain and Guatemala
See schedule below for times

Unique Shopping Opportunities
Find the perfect holiday gifts for the special people in your life
at one of Ripon's many unique shops!

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Treats
Click Here
for Ripon's fine restaurants and fun places to treat yourself
 

THURSDAY, November 29, 2012
  
Dickens Chili Supper*
Sponsored by the Ripon Chamber Cookie Daze Committee
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Miller's Tavern, 102 E. Fond du Lac


FRIDAY, November 30, 2012
 
Rippin' Good Cookie Outlet
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
420 E. Oshkosh Street
Sample and buy cookies for the holidays

18th Annual Dickens of a Quilt Show                                   
                    
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street

Photo courtesy of Ripon Commonwealth Press
 
Soup & Sandwich Supper*
3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
American Legion Hall, Corner of E. Fond du Lac & Blackburn Streets

Holiday House
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
926 Watson Street
Area artists and crafters display their wares
 
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street
View over 150 Nativity collections including ones from Africa Spain and Guatemala.  Also, bake sale.

Dickens Information Center
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Little White Schoolhouse, 303 Blackburn Street
Stop here to purchase tickets and for the inside scoop on Dickens happenings.

Enchanted Forest*
6 p.m. - 8;30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street
Live music, beautifully decorated trees and bake sale.  Admission proceed to go to the American Cancer Society and bake sale by Cheer & Stunt Squad.
 
23rd Annual Living Windows
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ~ HISTORIC DOWNTOWN RIPON
Over 30 live window scenes - Theme: The 1800's
Gingerbread House Contest--You Judge! ~ Farrell's Fine Furnishings
Visit with Santa at Ben Franklin
Las Posadas celebration at the VFW
Horse drawn wagon rides by WellSpring Farm courtesy of "Golden Rule" Community Credit Union
Live Nativity Scene, Street Performers...and MORE!
Sponsored by Ripon Chamber.



Photo courtesy of Ripon Commonwealth Press
 
Living Nativity
6:45 p.m. Procession
7 p.m.-8 pm Re-enactment
Open space at 220 Watson Street
 
Gingerbread House Contest & Display
Vote for your favorite house on Friday until 8pm and Saturday until 4pm at
Farrell's Fine Furnishings, 214 Watson Street
To enter the contest contact Troy at (920) 748-6370

Giant Knitting Needle Races
6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
115 Watson Street
 
White Christmas on the Green
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Downtown Village Green
Decorate a community Christmas tree while enjoying the sounds of the season!
Warm up with hot chocolate and cookies, as well the boarding area for the horse drawn carriage rides.

Las Posadas
Re-enactment of Mary & Joseph's search for lodging
7:15 p.m. Procession down Watson Street with traditional hymns
8:00 p.m. Traditional Mexican food, beverages and Pinata.
VFW Hall, 404 Ransom Street 
 
Dickens Christmas Shop
5pm - 9pm
303 Watson Street
Hand-made arts, crafts and more
 
A Spot of Tea & A Bit of Music
8p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Downhill Coffee 3 Harris Street
Cozy atmosphere to warm up and enjoy Britan's favorite beverage
or another of your choosing.
 
 
SATURDAY, December 1, 2012
 
Rippin' Good Cookie Outlet
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
420 E. Oshkosh Street
Sample and buy cookies for the holidays!
 
Breakfast with Santa*
8 to 10 a.m.
CJ's at the Wayside
W13201 Cork Street


Photo courtesy of Ripon Commonwealth Press
 
Dickens Information Center
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Little White Schoolhouse, 303 Blackburn Street
Stop here to purchase tickets and for the inside scoop on Dickens happenings.

Holiday Craft Show
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Maplecrest Manor, 150 N. Douglas Street
Purchase gifts from area crafters. proceeds to a local area charity 
Crafters can call 920-748-7300 to register.
 
Dickens Christmas Shop
9a.m. to 4 p.m.
303 Watson Street
Hand-made arts, crafts & more.

Christmas Crèche Display
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street
View over 150 Nativity collections including ones from Africa, Guatemala & Spain
 
18th Annual Dickens of a Quilt Show
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street
 
Glitter Village Work Shop
9:30 a.m. - noon.
Bungalow Quilting & Yarn, 646 W. Fond du Lac Street
920-748-2905 for information and registration
 
Christmas for Kids
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 320 Mt. Zion Drive
FREE fun for kids of all ages while you tour and shop Ripon. Free pizza from Domino's.
Reservations: 920-748-5344
 
Gingerbread House Contest & Display
Vote for your favorite house on Friday until 8pm and Saturday until 4pm at
Farrell's Fine Furnishings, 214 Watson Street
To enter the contest contact Troy at (920) 748-6370
 
Tour of Homes*
Featuring Historic Ripon Churches
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy the architecture and history of several Ripon churches.
Advance tickets available for $10 at Ripon Drug, Ripon Pick'n Save, and the Ripon Chamber office
TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE CHURCHES
Tickets on the day of the tour can be purchased for $12 at Ripon Drug, Ripon Pick 'n Save, and the Little White Schoolhouse
  
Historical Society Open House
10a.m. to 4p.m.
Pickard House 508 Watson Street
Showcasing the newly remodeled building & new exhibits
Free cider & cookies, Ceresco Prairie Band 2 to 3:30 p.m.
 
Taize Service
3 p.m.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church 217 Houston Street
Time of music, prayer, Christian scripture, and silence. All are welcome.

Enchanted Forest*
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street
Live music, beautifully decorated trees and bake sale.  Admission proceed to go to the American Cancer Society
and bake sale by Cheer & Stunt Squad.

Holiday House
11a.m. - 5 p.m.
926 Watson Street
Area artists and crafters display their wares
 
Choral Union/Collegium Concert
7:30 p.m.
Ripon College, CJ Rodman Center for the Arts, Union Street
 

SUNDAY, December 2, 2012

Registration starting at 7:30 a.m.
Ripon Medical Center is hosting a family-friendly
Two-mile fun run/walk through Ripon
Watson & Seward Streets
920-926-4971 for more information and pre-registration
 
Christmas Crèche Display
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street
View over 150 Nativity collections including ones from Africa, Guatemala & Spain

18th Annual Dickens of a Quilt Show
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street
 
Holiday House
11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
926 Watson Street
Area artists and crafters display their wares

Enchanted Forest*
11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street
Live music, beautifully decorated trees and bake sale.  Admission proceed to go to the American Cancer Society
and bake sale by Cheer & Stunt Squad.

Ripon College Orchestra Concert
3:15 p.m.
Demmer Recital Hall, CJ Rodman Center for the Arts, 
Ripon College, Union Street
 
Cheerleading Through the Years*
4:30 p.m. seating
5 p.m. dinner
6 p.m. show
Lasagna Dinner and Show - Ripon High School Cheer & Stunt Team 
CJ's At the Wayside W13201 Cork Street 
for more information: 920-229-5608

*There is a fee for these events.
Tickets for some events will be available
at the Ripon Chamber Office,
Ripon Drug/Ben Franklin and Pick'n Save in November.

********************************
For more information:
(920) 748-6764 or
chamber@ripon-wi.com

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