Christmas spirit: Northport spreads holiday cheer at Dickens Downtown

Christmas arrived early in Northport on Tuesday night as community members gathered for the 30th annual Dickens Downtown celebration.

The free event took place along Main Avenue as the downtown area was transformed into a 19th-century winter wonderland inspired by Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Participants dressed in Victorian-era style costumes as they enjoyed carolers, live music, artificial snow and more.

The celebration also included a special appearance by Father Christmas, which has been a tradition for the outdoor celebration.

Fran Viselli has appeared as Father Christmas since Dickens Downtown began in 1991.

Viselli said he believed Dickens Downtown is a special event because it represents unity.

"It brings families together. It brings that singularity of community, which we're fighting for ... It's so precious and so necessary," Viselli said.

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Randy Smith performed Christmas carols with his acoustic group from Taylorville United Methodist Church.

Smith said he also believed that the event brings families together and helps spread holiday cheer.

"We love it. It's like the opening of the Christmas season. It brings everybody together on a beautiful night and we get to sing some old-time Christmas songs," Smith said.

Amy Echols and Mike Henderson wore their best Victorian costumes as they greeted guests in front of the Kentuck Art Center, which is at 503 Main Ave. Families enjoyed a campfire and readings of classic Christmas stories in the art center's courtyard.

Echols, who serves as the executive director of the Kentuck Art Center, said Dickens Downtown is unique because it focuses on giving back to the community.

"It's special because it's not a merchandising, commercial event. It's actually the stores in downtown Northport doing something to give back to the community that's fun ... free and family-friendly," Echols said.

Echols said she believes Dickens Downtown is a great way to raise awareness about the shops and merchants of downtown Northport.

"I think it will introduce people to this area because so many people in Tuscaloosa have no clue downtown Northport and all of its unique shops exist," Echols said.

The area is home to Anders Hardware Co., the Alley Cake Co., Billy's Sports Bar and Grill the City Cafe, Sue's Flowers, the Toy Shoppe and Gracefully Done, an interior design store, to name a few.

Dickens Downtown started as an after-hours event organized by the Chamber of Commerce, but it is now hosted by the merchants of Historic Downtown Northport. It's traditionally held on the first Tuesday in December.

The Northport event was held the day after the 46th annual West Alabama Christmas Parade, which featured hundreds of floats Monday night on Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Christmas spirit: Dickens Downtown spreads holiday cheer in Northport