Dickens Village Returns with a Fresh Coat of Paint

This Saturday, Dickens Village returns to Maplewood Village. The long-running holiday event comes back with new leadership and a fresh coat of paint.

Founded by the Chamber of Commerce, the event has been run jointly by the Chamber and the Maplewood Village Alliance for several years. Now, Dickens Village is solely under the umbrella of the Maplewood Village Alliance, where a committee chaired by Ellen Davenport and Rosetta Weiser of the Village Wine Shop have brought new vigor to the event.

Davenport and Weiser saw immediately that some work needed to be done. "The houses were getting a little worn," said Weiser. She told us that the interiors of the houses, which replicate locations in Charles Dickens' classic tale A Christmas Carol, have been improved and that Kevin Sheridan of Rutgers Painting donated paint and labor in the off season to refurbish the exteriors.

The houses are a real favorite with small children who love the idea of a world on their scale. 

But Dickens Village isn't only about the houses. It's about the activities. Saturday, December 5, the Village kicks off with the big arrival of Santa by firetruck at 1 p.m. From 1-2 p.m., carolers in Dickensian dress will regale us with song. From 1:30 to 3:30, Santa will pose for pictures with children. And at 5 p.m., the town tree will be lighted. We are told that Mayor Vic DeLuca will do a reading from Dickens.

On Saturday, December 12, live reindeer will visit the Dickens Village. Saturday, December 19, will feature a petting zoo. 

For a full list of hours and events at Dickens Village, visit: http://www.maplewooddickensvillage.com/

This year Patch is a sponsor of Dickens Village. Visit us at our table at Ricalton Square from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Saturday. Who knows? Maybe we'll take your picture and put it on Patch!