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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2007
Contact: Molly Dannenmaier
Galveston Historical Foundation
502 20th Street
Galveston, TX 77551
409-765-7834
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org
34th Annual Dickens on The Strand Festival Highlights
Snow Yard for Kids
10 a.m. ‘til it melts, Saturday & Sunday, December 1 & 2
A corner of tropical Galveston Island takes on the magic of a real winter wonderland as children 13 years and younger frolic in a frosty “snow yard.” Get there early, however, as there is only one guaranteed snow a year on Galveston Island.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Knighting Ceremony
11 a.m., Saturday, December 1, Westminster Abbey Stage, 23rd Street & Strand
Queen Victoria knights her chosen soldiers and awards new medals to former knights.
Royal Victorian Wedding Ceremony
12 Noon, Saturday, December 1
Westminster Abbey Stage
Victorian wedding bells will ring at noon on Saturday for brides and grooms in a special group ceremony conducted by a licensed minister. Whether it is your first time or you are renewing your vows, don’t miss this magical opportunity to make your wedding day a historic event. For more information on getting married at Dickens on The Strand, call (409) 765-7834, ext. 35.
The Queen’s Parade
2 p.m., Saturday December 1
& 3 p.m., Sunday, December 2
Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, escorted by a colorful guard of Beefeaters in her own royal parade, greets her subjects both festival days from an elegant horse-drawn carriage. In the 10-block procession through historic downtown Galveston are bagpipe bands, a host of costumed characters, choirs and Victorian attired ladies and gentlemen on foot and riding in decorated carriages.
Dickens Costume Contest
4:30 p.m., Saturday, December 1 (for ladies and gentlemen)
1:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2 (for families and Charles Dickens’ literary characters)
It is a majestic sight when costumed festival participants showcase their finest Victorian attire or portray a colorful character from one of Charles Dickens’ literary works at the Dickens Costume Contest. Saturday winners are invited to stroll in the Pickwick’s Lanternlight Parade, and Sunday winners take part in the Queen’s Parade on Sunday.
Piccadilly Circus
All day Saturday and Sunday
From Her Majesty’s rare collection of exotic creatures at the Royal Menagerie petting zoo, pony and elephant rides to Scrooge’s Scavenger Hunt (sponsored by Home Town Bank of Galveston) and the London Express train rides, children of all ages will enjoy the activities in the Piccadilly Circus area. Victorian craft activities will be available and children will be encouraged to express their creativity. Pick up Scavenger Hunt participation cards at any festival entry gate.
London Wharf / ELISSA
10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, December 1
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 2
Pier 21 (21st Street at Harborside Drive)
The London Wharf presents the jaunty tunes of a concertina as “old salts” share tall tales of life at sea when the sun never set on the British Empire. Enjoy entertainment on the dock. Kids become pirates in “Jean Laffite’s Last Adventure,” an interactive children’s show. Purchase one-of-a-kind nautical crafts made by ELISSA volunteers. Admission is FREE to those with a Dickens on The Strand festival ticket, and includes a self-guided tour of the Texas Seaport Museum and Galveston Historical Foundation’s restored 1877 tall ship ELISSA.
Pickwick’s Lanternlight Parade
7 p.m., Saturday, December 1
Royal festivities move into the evening hours as the soft flow of gas light and holiday melodies from carolers and bagpipe bands fill the streets for a twilight gala parade that includes musical groups and horse-drawn carriages, Victorian costumed passengers and lantern-carrying escorts to illuminate the procession.
Where the ‘Dickens’ is That?
Enter the ever-popular architectural treasure hunt contest at Dickens on The Strand! One of the contest prizes is a day sail aboard the 1877 tall ship ELISSA!
Continuous Entertainment
All day Saturday and Sunday
There is no shortage of entertainment for royal revelers when bagpipers, magicians, musicians, hypnotists, acrobats and performers of all types take to the festival’s five stages for non-stop entertainment throughout the festival site.
Complete Your Holiday Shopping in Just One Weekend!
Love to shop? An array of year-round restaurants and shops is joined by more than 150 costumed vendors peddling their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with tasty culinary delights and Victorian inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items just in time for the holidays.
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