For the 19th year, the Village of Skaneateles (New York) Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Dickens Christmas. Local actors portray characters from Charles Dickens’ classic story, A Christmas Carol, in what has become a holiday tradition for many Central New Yorkers. Each afternoon on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, entertainers dressed in Victorian costumes walk the village streets, sing Christmas Carols, perform scheduled acts and interact with people and those pesky photographers. 😉
Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus and played by Kevin Pelletier) greeted me and was more than happy to pose for the perfect title photo.
Father Christmas at Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/40s, f/5, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 50mm focal length, fill-flash.
This year is Charles Dickens 200th Birthday and I was thrilled to be able to wish the author so by way of Jim Greene’s spirited acting. Jim is the person behind the production of Skaneateles’ Dickens Christmas each year.
The author Charles Dickens greets people at a Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/4.2, ISO 800, EV +0.3, 44mm focal length.
Charles Dickens gathers people around him a couple of times each presentation day to tell them about his new book. He got help from the Ghost of Jacob Marley, played by Brian Goldblatt, and volunteers from the audience.
Ghost of Jacob Marley at a Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 800, EV +0.3, 250mm focal length.
Besides the Dickens characters, people could enjoy free horse drawn carriage rides, free roasted chestnuts and listen to Christmas music played by a strolling bagpiper.
Horse drawn carriage on the streets of Skaneateles, New York during a Dickens Christmas.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length.
You have not heard Christmas music until you have listened to it by a talented bagpiper like Piper Jack Heins.
Piper Jack Heins playing a Christmas tune in Skaneateles, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 3200, EV +0.3, 116mm focal length.
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Ebenezer Scrooge as I did back in 2008. Maybe the weather kept him inside as it was very London-like with strong winds and constant rain which cut my stay short. I do hope to get back to Skaneateles later this month.
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A lot of fun going on in the streets of Skaneateles.
Not much fun going on here – we have dark and frosty days and the first snowstorm this winter 😦
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There surely is, Truels. Remember, winter if full it’s own photographic opportunities. Still waiting for snow to stick here.
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I really enjoyed the visit, Scott. It struck me that there, as here, December is often not the way we remember it, or imagine it – it’s often rainy like November rather than snowy. Mostly, of course, it’s just wildly unpredictable. Ah well – fun to stroll in the rain, too. I would have loved to hear the piper playing Christmas songs! Now I’m going to go think about the Dickens Bicentennial.
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So, true, Gerry. December is an extension of November weather. The time when the current season fights with the coming one. Today, it is very warm with balmy breezes from the south, tomorrow looks colder with snow. The eon old battle continues.
Here is a BagPipe Christmas Carols video for you.
As Bob Cratchit would say, “Happy Christmas!”
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Santa Claus works in my building!! He just wandered through the office – little pick me up on a boring Friday!
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That’s great…tell him I want a Nikon D4 for Christmas, please!
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