On Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, Historic Downtown Fayetteville transformed into a unique and wonderful experience. Many forwent the stores on Black Friday and took place in A Dickens Holiday from 1 to 9 p.m.
Horse-drawn carriages rolled down Hay Street carrying shoppers the old-fashioned way, past merchants’ windows adorned with beautiful Victorian holiday decorations, past artisans and vendors of all sorts of delightful treats.
Joyful children posed with Father Christmas for memory-laden pictures.The smell of cider and gingerbread permeated the chilly air. And there was Ebenezer Scrooge himself, pursued by the ghost of Jacob Marley.
As darkness approached and the clock reached 5 p.m., townspeople gathered in front of the Arts Council for the candlelight procession to the Market House, followed by fireworks.
After the fireworks, the festivities continued until 9 p.m.