Narberth did not look like Narberth this past Sunday (December 8). Instead, it transformed to a page out of a Charles Dickens novel. Businesses in the center of Narberth took part to make the day a success. For example, Reel Cinemas Narberth 2 screened a free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol. The Narberth Bookshop put on a free reading of A Christmas Carol.
Other activities included professional brass musicians, Waldron Mercy “Treblemakers’ Choir, The Lower Merion High School “Players” Carolers, The Narberth Community Theater Singers, etc.
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Some of the Narberth roads were closed to all vehicles, except the horse and buggy.
For laughs, one of the volunteers dressed as a 19th century constable, “threatened” to arrest almost every other person he saw.
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This was the 10-month-old GET Cafe’s first opportunity to take part in the dickens event. They hosted a free magic show for children.
“We were excited to participate,” said GET owner/founder Brooke Goodspeed. “It’s one of my most favorite events that the Narberth Business Association hosts. It’s a great way to get involved in the community.”
Ed Ridgway, Chairman of the Narberth/Dickens event stopped at GET for coffee.
He loves GET, not just for its food, but because GET hires people with disabilities to work there. He does not know of other businesses that have that same objective.
“This place is a wonderful addition to the community because of its spirit of inclusion,” said Ridgway, who is the current President of the Narberth Business Association.
Ridgway then explained how the Narberth/Dickens event got started.
“About 14 years ago, Pat Daily, an owner of Maido Japanese Market, hired some musicians to perform on the corner in our little downtown here as a reward for shoppers who shopped here (in Narberth) during the holidays instead of just going to the mall,” said Ridgway. “Pat expanded it and brought Dickens characters to the event. It has grown over the years.”
According to Ridgway, about 4 to 5 thousand people usually attend every year. It takes place, rain, snow, or shine.
In 2013, there was about six inches of snow, but that did not deter people from coming. Ridgway attributed that to a third of the attendees walking there every year.
This will be a key event to watch for every Christmas season.
(Note, a version of this article will run in the GET newsletter in January.)
