All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. These are the first two lines of William Shakespeare’s play, “As You Like It”. And this last Saturday the little village of Skaneateles, NY was the host and the stage for Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”. This event is a must attend December event in the Finger Lakes. And there’s still time to attend as the event is held every Saturday and Sunday (click here) ending on the 24th of December. This year we have never seen so many Dickens characters at Skaneateles. Perhaps it was because the village of Skaneateles has over the past 22 years honed its skill at hosting this event. Perhaps it was because of the warm December weather. Perhaps it is because we are all in the need of some Christmas cheer this year.
Jeanette and I came early. I scouted out the Gazebo and the pier. At the end of the pier, a lone Christmas tree stands with a bright navigation light at the top of the tree.The pier affords one a beautiful panoramic view of the village of Skaneateles. Jeanette waited at the Sherwood Inn to make sure that we would have lunch reservations when they opened. The beautiful gazebo at Skaneateles is the idea spot to take a family picture.
From the Sherwood dining room, the first of Dickens characters, including Mother Goose, Father Christmas, and Scrooge, arrived by wagon and the remaining characters walked by the Sherwood to gather in the west lawn of the Sherwood to begin the day’s event.
After lunch, my son and I we joined the crowds of people wondering up and down Main Street while the girls shopped. We just watched the crowds, enjoyed the Dickens characters, and the music that they brought to the whole scene.
At 2:00 pm we returned to the gazebo to join Scrooge, Marley’s ghost in chains, Father Christmas, and a host of other Dickens characters for a Christmas carol sing. “Joy to the World, and on earth peace, good will to men!” And for the hundreds of folks gathered there in the park, peace did indeed come, if only for just a short time.
