Christmas Market returns to Marilyn Horne Hall Dec. 8

On Dec. 8, the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center will present “A Dickens Christmas” to be held in conjunction with Historic Downtown Bradford's annual Old Fashioned Christmas event.

The Dickens Christmas Market at Marilyn Horne Hall will feature costumed performers, complimentary treats, and over a dozen artisan vendors selling everything from jackalope socks to original artwork.

“We've been working on this project since last year. I was delighted to learn that the Main Street program was planning to piggyback on the event and make it a town-wide theme,” said museum manager Matthew Hileman. “Last year's market was a huge success and we anticipate this year to be even more exciting.”

The highlight of the market will be performances by The American Caroling Company, which has been providing quality entertainment for holiday events since 2008. The caroling quartets are made up of professional performers from major cities around the United States and have performed for prestigious organizations around the country including the NFL's Tennessee Titans. The a capella group, dressed in full Victorian costume, will perform a variety of traditional Christmas carols and holiday songs.

Guests will be able to interact with the costumed performers, which will include Ebenezer Scrooge, making the market an immersive family experience. The museum is encouraging visitors to bring their cameras for photo opportunities. Complimentary mulled cider and gingerbread cookies will also be available.

Hileman wants visitors to know that the event will take place snow or shine. “We're fortunate to have this wonderful indoor space. Our visitors will be able to shop at their leisure and enjoy the singers in the warm atmosphere of Marilyn Horne Hall.”

Vendors will include many new additions to the market with a few returning favorites. Several local artisans will include Sisterly Soap, Shandra Wilson's handmade pysanky, handspun yarn and other gifts by Tara Munch, the popular Gatsby and Bootlegger with its unique accessories and toiletries for men, photographer Jenn Stillman who will be offering calendars, prints, and other unique gifts, and award-winning local artist Denise Drummond.

Several vendors are traveling in for the event and include Jean Cummings “The Bottle Lady,” who creates whimsical hanging vases, Pamela Palm of Oil City, who will bring lighted wreaths, Christmas trees, and an assortment of crocheted gifts, and handmade jewelry by Maria Craig of Berlin, Pa., among others.  To round out the day, the museum store will be hosting a “Victorian pop-up shop,” which will feature Victorian, Dickens, and British-themed gifts.

The Dickens Christmas Market at Marilyn Horne Hall has been generously underwritten by the Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation. The market will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee and free parking will be available at the rear of Marilyn Horne Hall. Guests will be able to take a free horse-drawn carriage ride from Main Street to the front entrance of Marilyn Horne Hall. Performances by the American Caroling Company will happen intermittently throughout the event.

More information can be found online at www.marilynhorne.org/dickenschristmas or by calling 814-362-7990.