Dicken’s Alley preparations are well underway this week before Saturday’s festivities. Crews and volunteers have been busy hanging the panels that showcase the alley and set the mood for the event, decorating the trees and putting lights around the court square. “It takes a big crew to do this. It’s a lot of lights” organizer Elena Blevins explained as Mayor Rita Dotson was busy testing countless strings of lights before sending them over to be put on display.
This is the 11th year for the Dicken’s Alley, the event described by many as “Larry Krouse’s baby” as he has been the driving force behind the event since the beginning. Krouse works tirelessly making connections with businesses on the court square to grow participation throughout the year and can be found working behind the scenes in nearly every aspect of event as well.
Each year, organizers add to the stellar lineup of activities at the Dicken’s Alley event. New for 2018 will be the Spirit of Giving train stop where everyone is encouraged to bring canned good and monetary donations for Marcella’s Kitchen. Any child who brings a donation will be presented with a certificate signed by Santa Claus himself along with a jingle bell from the Polar Express for the spirit of giving. The train stop will be located in front of City Hall.
Events will kick off at 3:00 pm at the G.O.P. building on the square with Cookies with Santa ending around 4:30 pm. Santa will then make his way to Puckett’s where he will be from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Little Dickens ornament decorating will take place in City Hall beginning at 3:00, another new addition to the lineup. The Power Wheels Car Show is schedule for 4:00 and cash prizes are sponsored by Country Chevrolet for the best decorated power wheels entries.
Dicken’s Alley will open at 5:00 pm and will feature the traditional stops including the roasted pig by Magic Valley, bread and Brenda Hodge’s famous potato soup, and US Bank’s Ye Old Pub offering cider and hot chocolate. Christmas characters will be stationed at the Main Street Center to meet and greet children of all ages including the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Jack Skelington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Dicken’s time period characters. A backdrop will be provided for parents to take pictures of their children with the characters. The Main Street Center will also be the site of this year’s chili supper that is being hosted by the Marshall County Soccer Association.
The lighted Christmas parade begins at 6:30 pm and is themed “Merry Christmas to all and to all be kind”. Organizers are expecting an incredible turnout this year as over 20 floats have already been confirmed. The grand marshal of the parade will be the Marshall County High School Kindness Club that is also responsible for the art work in the new Kindness Park in Benton. “They really tried hard to spread kindness this entire year, we thought why not carry that on… everyone needs a lesson in kindness” Blevins explained. Entries for the parade are still being accepted.
Traffic will start to be re-routed at 5:30 pm along the parade route. Anyone coming to take part in the festivities after this time will need to come into Benton via the Purchase Parkway instead of coming from Draffenville.