by Linda Dilday on 2016-02-18

The 2016 Riverside Dickens Festival will take place Feb. 27–28 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Riverside on the Pedestrian Mall near City Hall. Highlights of this year’s festival include: Pickwick’s Pub Night: Friday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Life Arts Building Tickets are $35 Mr. Pickwick once again invites everyone to join him to kick off the Riverside Dickens Festival. Those under 21 will not be admitted. Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball Saturday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in Riverside Municipal Auditorium Tickets are $35 before Jan. 15 and $40 after that date Return to the romantic times of Mr. Dickens and Queen Victoria. The ball is managed as it would have been in Victorian times complete with dance cards and beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen twirling about the dance floor. You can purchase separate tickets for balcony viewing. $10 Oliver’s Alley will provide children with a fun and free Dickensian experience funded by a Community Arts Partnership grant from the Riverside Arts Council. All activities, including games, crafts and children’s teas, in Oliver’s Alley are free to those under 12. Fashion Shows: • Saturday’s Fashion Show: “Coming to America, or, Pretty in Purple” in Ford's Theater. Admission $10 Models will portray their American ancestors and/or showcase their purple creations. • Sunday’s Fashion Show: “Steampunk Character and Costume Extravaganza” in Ford's Theater. Admission $10 Featuring the models’ unique, creative clothing and accessories, and characterizations. Parasol Dueling! For the first time ever, come and learn the secret language of the Victorian parasol, secrets that every well brought up damsel would know. Watch as maidens "duel to the death" with their lovely (and lethal) accessories. The Royal Victorian Tea Room & Music Hall: The Tea Room is located downstairs at the historic First Congregational Church, Mission Inn Avenue and Lemon Street, two blocks from the main festival location. First Congregational Church – $25 Saturday, Feb. 27 – 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 – 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. For more information, call 888-987-7565 The Tavern at Riverside Dickens Festival: Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28, $5 cover charge While strolling down Main Street, taking in the sights of the Riverside Dickens Festival, you may hear the raucous sounds of music, laughter and general merriment. These sounds mean you are near The Tavern and Bad Baby Babs, the Madame of the Tavern is waiting for you with a pint of ale and a song in her heart. Come in, sit down and prepare yourself for an afternoon of entertainment, live music and dancing Can-Can girls. But be warned, once you enter through the Tavern doors, you may never want to leave! Doors open at 11 a.m. and remain open for the duration of the Festival. This is a 21 and older venue, valid state issued identification is required. Public Trial of Sinister Actors: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28 – 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Riverside County Historic Courthouse $10 Accused of murdering the English language, revolting against the proven hierarchical class structure, and other heinous crimes associated with Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, four actors from the Redlands Opera Theatre were recently arrested. They will stand public trial on February 27th and 28th, at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse, as part of the Riverside Dickens Festival. Department 1. Trails: • “Trial of John Wilkes Booth.” Ford’s Theatre at 3:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28 Admission is $10. • “Trial of Jack the Ripper.” Department 8, Riverside County Historic Courthouse, admission is $10. On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28 – 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Experience this event in Riverside’s historic, turn-of-the-century courthouse, but–be warned–this show is not for the squeamish. No one under 13 will be admitted. • “Trial of Lizzie Borden.” Department 1, Riverside County Historic Courthouse, $10. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28 – 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. One of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American history. Due to the graphic content, no one under 13 will be admitted. Evensong: First Congregational Church, Corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Lemon Street, on Sunday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m., admission $10 This wonderful Choral performance provides a relaxing and spiritual end to another successful and exciting Dickens Festival. Vendors Include: Activities & Games Finnegan’s Firearms: hosted by Derek Daniel and Target Range. Maharani Mehendi: Pushpa & Buddha Tulachan Traditional Henna. Bawdy Braids: Michelle Tronchin, Classical Hair Braiding. The Gentleman's Fisticuffs: hosted by Derek Daniel, witness Victorian muscle man, weapons are punching gloves and gentleman's canes. Caterers In Cod We Trust: vendor Patrick Morris offers traditional fresh Fish & Chips, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Assorted Empanadas, Coke and Diet Coke. Heritage Meat Pies: vendor Kevin Haggard offers Fyne Meat Pies made in the traditional manner, Steak & Mushroom Pies, Scottish Pies, Chicken Pies, Shepherd Pies, Cottage Pies, Sausage Rolls, Scones & Strawberries, Curried Lamb Pie, Haggis, Grilled Brats on a Roll, and Lemonade. Mountain Witch Tea Company: vendor Kelly Wright, offers over 40 kinds of loose teas. Also serving Hot Teas. Oliver’s Alley Teas: vendor The Dickens Festival. The Tavern: vendor The Dickens Festival. The Quail Inn: vendor Bridget Brown, offers Soup in a Bread Bowl including Broccoli Cheddar, Clam Chowder, Beef & Vegetable. Additionally she will sell, Jalapeño Poppers, Scotch Eggs, Peach and Cheese Fritters ,as well as, Iced Tea. The Queens Fyne Meats: vendor Lisa Stehl offers Fyne Smoked Meats including succulent Tri-Tip, Smoked Turkey Legs, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Pork Ribs, Tender Tri-Tip Chili. For the children and young at heart Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Ice Cream and Lemonade. The Tempting Tart: vendor Cee Duckett offers Tasty Treats, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Spotted Dick, Victoria Jubilee Cake, Assorted Flavors of Cookies, Seasonal Tarts, Assorted small Cakes. The Welsh Baker: vendors Joe & Denise Carbone offers Welsh Cakes, Welsh Scones, Griddled Shortbread, Boxed Teas, and Bottled Jams. Their Welsh Scones are made from Welsh Cake dough, they are moister and smaller than regular scones. Their Griddled Shortbread is very unique, we are the only people who make it. It's not baked like regular shortbread, it's griddled like the Welsh Cakes, giving them a uniquely light and airy texture. Crafts & Artisans Abelman Art Glass: vendors Stuart Abelman Amsbury’s Ship Chandlery: vendors Ray & Michelle Amsbury Artist on the Go: vendor Leslie Stone offers hand cut Silhouettes. Ashes of Arcadia: vendor Shannon Morgan offers fine handcrafted leather masks and headwear. Astrid’s: vendor Astrid Ashmon offers Costumes Bullseye Leather: vendors Gary & Pam Taylor will offer a full selection of handmade Leather products. Christopher Miller Creations: vendor Christopher Miller offers Hand Carved Bone Jewelry and Exquisite Carpetbags. Designed and Handmade by Christopher Miller christophermillercreations@gmail.com www.pale-moon.com Dragonfly Stained Glass: vendor Larry Joers is one of the finest Stained Glass Artists in California. Dreamsinger Music: vendor Morris Lieberman offers Harps, Door Harps, Bowed Psalteries, Toys. Harlequin Costume: vendor Kristie Peters. Hooks & Chains: vendor Jack Allen offers Crochet with items from Octopus to hats and hand warmers. Kansas Mercantile: vendor Shelly Peters offers 19th century dry goods, clothing, and accessories. Lynda Loves Lace: vendor Lynda Pyka offers a selection of the finest lace bonnets, gloves, hats and reticules. Madera Cup Company: vendor Brian Warner offers Handmade Wooden Mugs Off Kilter Kilts: vendor Joseph T. Centrose offers a full selection of the finest collection of Kilts and Accoutrement, as well as, Celtic Music. Pretty Fancy: vendors Linda & Tony Banuelos offers Clothing, Scarves, Victorian Hats and Costuming. Opal Moon: vendor Kerri Kordowski offers unusual, exotic and finely made and designed clothing. Pandora’s Kloset: vendor Lisa Hames offers Sweaters and Shrugs . Real Flower Jewelry: vendor Cristy Lv offers miniature Flowers encased in resin. Additionally she offers, Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets and more to accent the Victorian Persona. Reminiscents: vendor Karen Melendez offers fine perfumes, oils and incense. Silver Wings: vendor Rebecca Cristler offers repurposed Victorian silver-plate into useful and fun items for the home such as Bird feeders, garden items, chalk boards, and clocks. Strawbenders: vendor Cora Hendershot offers Traditional Wheat Weaving. The Holy Honey Company: vendors Debbie and Michael Schwenn offer honey products from Beaumont in Riverside County. Illustrated Stone: vendors Anna & Steve Morales, and Anna Benincasa offers Handmade natural stone and marble coasters with a range of artistic designs including, Victorian, Wine & Beer-themed, Italian, Nautical, Nature, Sea-Life, Vintage Art & More. www.illustratedstone.com Tower of London: vendor Mary Neese offers Leather Corsetry, Belts, Journals. Wood Stone Leather and Bone: vendor Heather Daylight offers Bone Pins and intricately lazered Nightlights mounted on colored sliced geodes. Steam Punk Baubles & Steam Emporium: vendor Carole Witham. Diva Dreads: vendor Brandi Franks offers Hair Falls and Accessories. Enigma’s Steampunk Emporium: vendors Javier & Janice Dominguez offer incredible over the top Steam Punk Gear, indlcuing Leather and Clothing. Gear’s & Roebuck Rusty Junk Emporium: vendor Shannon Hoage. Hearts Delight Steam Punk Emporium: the Mesker Family will offer Steamy Clothing, Shoes Hats and Accessories. Starling Moon Designs: vendor Laura Cuthbert Amsbury The Purple Dragon: vendorMitzi Linscott offers Handmade Silver Celtic Jewelry and Sage. Wild Vines Woodworking: vendors Steve Fanning and Benoit Fancette offer handcrafted fine woodworking such as chef’s boards, keepsake boxes, turned bowls, compact mirrors and much more. Created using exotic and north American hardwoods for unique heirloom quality wooden treasures. www.wildvineswoodworking. Wilamina Wormwoods: vendor Sidney Rice offers fine Handmade Soaps. Children Fact Painting: vendor Yuridia Windfield Swords & Shields: vendors Shawna & Greg Hopla. The Ocarina Shoppe: vendor Terri Anaya. The Majestic Dragon: vendor Andrew Elkins offers Children’s Animal Puppets, Toys and Bone and Horn Earrings.