Father Christmas at Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
/ Dora Scheidell
SKANEATELES -- The characters from Charles Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol" were roaming the streets in Skaneateles Friday.
Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's old business partner, is a ghost who is trying to redeem Scrooge's soul so he can get into the afterlife.
"Ebenezer Scrooge is a broken record. He's a hard nut to crack. But we're going to be here every weekend until Christmas to try to get him to open up his shut off heart," says Marley.
Five Year Old Courtney and her older brother William came all the way from New Jersey for the 19th annual event.
"We're looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas," says Courtney.
While the rest of the world may think of today as Black Friday here in Skaneateles they call it Bright Friday because it's only the beginning of a very festive holiday season.
Gabrielle Dellaquillo and her father Paul came dressed up all the way from Bayville, NY.
" I think it really kicks off the christmas season and gets everyone in the spirit," says Dellaquillo.
The star of the show, Mr. Charles Dickens himself, says Skaneateles has inspired him.
"You know its funny how the muse can find you in such a strange and wonderful place. This morning I was at the Sherwood pub having my breakfast martini and the bartender said olive or twist and I said brilliant! What a good name for an orphan," says Dickens.
Besides Scrooge, everyone was having a good time.
"I hate Christmas! What's Christmas anyway? You're just a year older and not a penny richer!," says Scrooge.
With 32 days until Christmas, it was a great opportunity for Skaneateles merchants.
You can step through Dickens' pages every weekend in Skaneateles from now until Christmas Eve.
