{stories and snapshots from my new york city life.}

12.13.2011

A Glimpse of Christmas Past...Dickens on the Strand

I'm not sure if I ever told you before, but I hail from one of the most charming towns in America. Bold statement, sure, but have you been to Galveston before? It's really adorable, with sandy beaches, surf shops, Texas accents and a whole downtown area full of 19th century buildings and cobblestone streets. 

Of course as a kid, I never thought of my town as charming. I thought it was small, which meant it was boring. What a dolt I was. I view my hometown so differently as an adult, but my opinion of one Galveston tradition has never wavered. Every year, on the first weekend in December, there's a Victorian Christmas festival called Dickens on the Strand and it's the greatest thing ever. Please behold:

People dress up in Victorian garb and stroll the streets arm in arm. I would like to be this couple when I grow up.

I really want to ride one of these, but I'm only 5'3". Think I could do it?

There are plenty of rockin' tunes. 

And playful police brutality...

And adorable animals...

But the true heart of the festival are really the costumes.

They are just beautiful and I was so impressed by how many people went all out. 

Of course, some modern conveniences are hard to give up.

I wonder if this Galveston kid knows how charming his town is?

I wish I'd known then what I know now.

11 comments:

  1. This looks like so much fun! I'm sure Mr. Dickens never thought he'd end up in Texas :-)

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  2. Good ol' Dickens! What fun this used to be...every December I feel a pang of sadness remembering what a staple it was in my young life. I remember most fondly cute boys selling hot roasted chestnuts and the year we thought it was hilarious to approach perfect strangers and ask if they were named Bob. I recently enjoyed some confections at LaKing's and savored every detail of our quaint hometown...nice work!

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  3. Oh my gosh, I love those pictures of you and Adam. Those are great! It is true, you hate Galveston when you live there- you appreciate it much more after the fact!

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  4. Love these pics Jenn - your family photos are beautiful and priceless!!

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  5. OMG! It's like the Gilmore Girls' town in real life! That looks like so much fun. Those two little boys look so adorable in their hats and outfits. <3

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  6. Haha--that last pic is actually one boy in a mirror. He was working as a soda jerk at my favorite candy store in Galveston called La King's. You can watch them pulling taffy and making candied apples there!

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  7. I can't even believe you wrote about Dickens on the Strand. Back in the day, my grandmother used to drive down from Houston EVERY YEAR (in costume). She would collect those Dickens on the Strand posters and put them up in her garage. Pretty sure they're still there.

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  8. wow, love the pics and the costumes!

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  9. So fun! I wish my town, which is pretty darn historic itself (helloooo Battle at Brandywine) would do something festive like this. While I might not dress up in period attire, I'd totally be the first one lined up taking pics and posing and being merry right along with them.

    Except for the alpacas. I won't go near those.

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  10. I'm quite jealous you went home for Dickens. I'll be there in two weeks and am very excited. :-)

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  11. Isn't it amazing what perspective brings? I never appreciated living in Colorado...until I moved away! I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, my friend. I'm about to begin a week of baking, traveling and celebrating with family. Much love and many blessings.

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