Background:
Brainchild of Bob Ley, a local businessman, the Dicken's Victorian Village was his early concepts and sketches that turned Wheeling Avenue in downtown Cambridge into a display of scenes from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Along with that these displays, the Guernsey county courthouse is emblazoned with lights, light shows synchronized with music early November until just after New Years Day. Every night through that time frame, the court house's automated light show dazzles and amazes with the strobing lights, paired with holiday songs both classic and modern.
Talking with some of the local residents, they informed us that it can take up to 18 hours of work to sync the light display with just one song. Each iteration of the "concert" lasts for 1 hour.
Stop into the visitor's center on Steubenville Avenue to see the wonderful staff there, get a gift, a scavenger hunt paper as well as a visitor's guide. If the visitor's center is not open, most of the shops will have the visitor's guides as well. This will help you navigate through the area.
Impression:
This is one of those things that really need to be seen to be appreciated. There is no YouTube video or image that can truly express the fun that will be had by attending the Dicken's Victorian Village event. And there is no reason to miss it either! Cambridge, Ohio is only a 1 hour drive from the capital city Columbus. We have been to other Christmas light shows in Ohio and other states, but we believe this one is by far one of the most entertaining.
Check out the YouTube video that gives you a taste of the lights and music along of the Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show from our weekend at the Dicken's Victorian Village!
You will be outside, so make sure to stay warm! Dress for the weather. You'll want to spend at least an hour watching the show. It runs daily Early November through Just after New Years Day from 5:30pm to 9:00pm and later on some days until 11pm. Check the website link Seasonal Events for all the details.
Either before or after the light show, there are some great places to eat and shops to visit. Our favorites for food were Guernsey Kitchen, Kennedy's Bakery and Theo's Restaurant.
If you want to venture out a bit from the downtown, we also ate at The Bear Run restaurant. Excellent service and food there. It is one of the top rated eateries in the area as rated by TripAdvisor.
Some shops of note are Nothing But Chocolate and Penny Court Antique Mall.
We didn't forget about the scenes all scattered through downtown! We preferred to see them at night, lit up by the street lights. Walk up and down both sides of a long stretch of Wheeling Avenue and there are scenes from A Christmas Carol. All these mannequins are hand made locally. The artists start with a foam head, then apply a type of modeling clay like compound to sculpt the features, then paint and add details. The bodies are made of wooden frames, covered in bubble wrap, then clothed in their specific scene. More details about the process can be had at the visitor's center.
These scenes are all over the place. Some are in shop store fronts, others occupy the street benches while larger ones have their own custom made platforms.
No matter where you are in Ohio, we feel that this is a unique place to see. Given the fact that it runs every single day for 10 weeks gives you no excuse for not getting there and checking out this wonderful holiday treat and special small town. Cambridge has a decidedly vintage feel to it that lovers of this time of year will appreciate.
An annual event, Reynoldsburg invites everyone to come to old downtown and enjoy the music, activities and businesses as they celebrate this holiday season.
music recitals by students of 88 Keys
Outdoor music provided by members of Reynoldsburg HS band
kids help decorate a Christmas Tree at a Civil War Encampment
free cupcakes provided by Sweet Designs Specialty Cakes
a large nativity scene outside of Cotner's Funeral Home
horse carriage rides provided by Willow Wind Carriage Service
My wife's family has a tradition of going out together and getting a Christmas Tree for Nana's house. One of out favorite locations for getting the tree is Beck's Tree Farm in Lancaster, OH.
We have been to many a tree farm over the years to be sure, but Beck's is always one of our favorites. They have a large selection of "cut your own" trees and their stock is always healthy.
When you first get to Beck's you can go exploring on your own through the grounds or you can catch a ride on their horse drawn wagon to different locations through out the property. Each section is home to a different type of tree.
On of the great things too about Beck's is that different tree types may cost a different price, but the size doesn't factor into it. Pick a 2 footer or a 10 footer and the price is the price.
Once you are out in the field, you don your weapon of choice(the tree saw) and take your prey.
Here is the tree our family picked...heading out to wait for the horses to come pick us up.
From here you can see the large expanse of the tree farm. There is still way more behind and around us that you cannot see.
Once back, the staff takes your tree and puts it on the shaker and bails the tree for easy transport to your home!
And here are the fruits of our labor! The tree is secured in the tree stand, expertly decorated by the kids and ready for Santa to place presents around!
