The Dickens Christmas Festival celebrated its 10th year Saturday in downtown Benton. Saturday’s event kicked off with Cookies with Santa at the GOP headquarters and included local businesses and organizations contributing to the holiday cheer with goodies, hot cocoa and other items. Dickens Alley featured a whole roasted pork, warm cider, fresh baked bread, soup and goodies for participants to enjoy in the spirit of an old-time Christmas like that found in the time of Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.”
Children and visitors had the opportunity to meet some of their favorite characters from the tale, including the Ghost of Christmas Present and Ebenezer Scrooge, as well as characters from more contemporary Christmas classics like the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and Buddy the Elf.
Saturday’s festival concluded with the annual lighted Christmas parade, featuring floats from local organizations, politicians, churches and individuals according to this year’s theme to “tell a Christmas story.”
