Dickens Faire & Festival releases detailed event schedule for Victorian-themed Christmas extravaganza

News Release
November 30, 2023

BUCKHANNON — The second annual West Virginia Dickens Christmas Faire & Festival has released a schedule outlining events scheduled to take place throughout the one-day community celebration of Christmas on Saturday.

Please see below for detailed information submitted by festival organizers.

Saturday, Dec. 2

8 a.m. — Breakfast with the Characters at the Opera House (Tickets cost $5 and are available at Buckhannon Chamber and Visitors Center & Just Cuttin’ Up Salon or at the door). Come meet the characters and have breakfast with them; all proceeds benefit the faire and festival.

11 a.m. — Vendors and artisans begin demonstrations.

11 a.m. — Visit with Mrs. Claus at Mountain CAP Family Support Center, where there will be ornament-making and a nursing and diaper-changing station available for free.

12 p.m. — Free horse-and-buggie rides begin. Rides are FREE with a donation of a nonperishable food item for Christmas baskets, and cash donations will also be accepted.

12 p.m. — Entertainment begins on both stages (Jawbone Park & the Upshur County Courthouse)

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. — The Buckhannon Community Theatre’s production of A Christmas Story at the Colonial Theatre (Tickets available at the Buckhannon Chamber and Visitors Center, Salon 88 and City Hall)

5 p.m. — Vendors and artisans wrap-up

5:15 p.m. — Costumes, Caroling and Candlelight Parade begins

5:30 p.m. — Christmas Tree lighting takes place in Jawbone Park

7-11 p.m. — Fezziwigs Ball at Opera House (This is a ticket-only event, and you can secure tickets at the Upshur Visitors Center/Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce, Just Cuttin’ Up Salon or at the door

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Main Street will be closed to traffic from the Upshur County Courthouse to City Hall from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and please note that vehicles will be towed if parked on the event streets.

BREAKFAST WITH THE CHARACTERS at the Opera House from 8-10 a.m. Come enjoy pancakes and sausage and a drink with a great opportunity for FREE photos.
Upshur County Courthouse will have entertainment from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., with local talent entertaining the community.
Noel Tenney can be found at his “Artist in Residence” above Fish Hawk Acres. Enjoy Noel’s artistic talents and drop in to find some beautiful holiday gifts.
Enjoy Endo Solutions and the Apothecary on Main. The medicine man can find salves to help your pain and enjoy the herbs that can help for sure!
Fish Hawk Acres presents wassails, mulled ciders, and other tasty treats for the Caroling connoisseurs, AND THAT’S NOT ALL! The Brass Quintet will begin performing at 1:30 p.m. with “Strike A Chord” during the quintet’s intermission. Entertainment is free to the public from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Around the corner “Pillory Lane,” you will find Judge for the day, Daya Masada Wright, with her pillory in store for those who will for sure receive coal for Christmas. Take a photo in the stockades and have fun for the day.
Jimbo’s will be offering “Seasonal Libations!” Have a drink but not too much, or you may visit Judge Daya and her pillory!
The Coop will be offering tasty pastries from Dickens’ time. The Coop will also be offering wreath-making and other tastes of the past.
Brightside for the first time will shine with potters, quilters, crafters, great photo opportunities and more in store for you.
We aren’t through because the Buckhannon Upshur High School Orchestra is heading your way from 2-3 p.m. in the atrium at “The Opera House, playing the most beautiful music to your ears!
Your sweet tooth desires can be satisfied at “Argo Books.” Taste their delicious candies of a time gone while sitting and listening to the readings of “A Christmas Carol.”
While enjoying your stroll down the street, be sure to stop in Westfall Farms Properties and Just Cuttin’ Up. There you will find artist-in-residence Linda Hicks and her beautiful paintings as well as homemade goat milk soaps and lotions.
The Antique Store has something special in store! Get your shoes shined! Have a seat and put up your feet! Once your feet are neat, head on into the antique store and find something old and something older!
Cornerstone Church and Faith Tabernacle will present “A Live Nativity” with a petting zoo found on Main Street.
Buck’s Chestnuts and Poultry is back for another year, and oh my, there is NOTHING like chestnuts roasting on the open fire and a big poultry leg to make your day! Find him on the corner of Main Street.
Mountain Cap of WV has just the thing every little person needs! Mrs. Claus will be visiting, and “top hats” and “mop caps” for your littles will be available FREE OF CHARGE so they can dress up like the rest of us! Ornament-making will be available for all, as well as autograph books for children to visit the characters throughout the day.
Want some time away from the littles? Visit Whistle Stop Bar and Grill for a banger and chips with a sip of Christmas!
Artistry on Main is simply amazing. Ornament-making, weavers and other artists will exhibit their beautiful creations. Don’t miss your visit!
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., you will find musician Allister on Main Street and from 3 to 5 p.m., you will find the carolers Montani Cantani singing their beautiful Christmas tunes.
We CANNOT FORGET “A Christmas Story” at the theatre at 2 & 7 p.m.
The Rink offers more than just an ice-skating adventure. Receive $1 for every can of food donated up to 5 cans off your entrance fee. But don’t miss the other fun in store! On the same lot, you will find a cow to milk, a larder, a corn meal maker, and an apple butter-making demonstration.
Coming from Canaan Valley-Mountain Trail Rides and Horseback along with Michael Mick, Stony Brook Farms and Courtney Scott and Dana and Roonie Reed from Reed Farms bring you HORSE AND BUGGY RIDES! FREE! FREE! FREE! Bring a can of food and ride! Cash donations accepted. Gary Connell from Jaws BBQ, as well as Appalachian Forest Products, and along with Fred Eberle students, will present tractor and wagon rides!
Fun isn’t over until you mosey on over to visit the Rowdy Cowboys on Madison Street at their arena and enjoy riding a horse or watching the spectacular horse tricks!
Still not done! We have amazing vendors and treats in store at Jawbone Park ALL DAY LONG. Entertainment will be on stage at Jawbone from 12-5 and vendors will be present all day.
Don’t miss the characters walking around town and enjoy spending time with them and visiting…get an autograph!
At 5:15 p.m., Costume, caroling and candlelight parade begins at the courthouse. At the same time, the community enjoys a leisurely stroll caroling down Main Street to Jawbone Park, where our Mayor Robbie Skinner will light the Christmas tree and proclaim that Christmas has begun!
Then, come one, come all to FEZZIWIG’S BALL at the Opera House. Tickets are available at the door!

We encourage the public to dress in Victorian period attire and come join the fun! Detailed updates will be available on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/WVDickensChristmasFestivalandFaire.