ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The streets of Old Town Elk Grove were filled with holiday cheer as the 37th annual Dickens Street Faire was held on Nov. 30.

From 2nd Avenue to School Street, the streets of Elk Grove Boulevard teemed with vendors, performers and attendees. A secondary stage hosted local musicians such as Hannah Kile and Neil Nayyar to perform Christmas carols. Elsewhere, kids could have a photo opportunity with The Grinch. Many of the festivities near the entryway led up to Old Town Plaza, where many activities took place.

Old Town Plaza had games provided by the Cosumnes CSD like Skee-Ball and bowling, along with photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. 

Businesses open for attendees included School of Rock, Pinot’s Palette and Designs by Ray. Pinot’s Palette invited children to participate in decorating cookies and having some hot cocoa. Designs by Ray held a fundraiser by selling See’s Candies.

Organizer Isabel Pires said this event usually draws 10,000 attendees, but with the weather being nice and with an additional amount of vendors, she said it would draw up to 12,000 attendees. The Dickens Faire helps to bring the holiday spirit to the community and also helps to support the small businesses on Elk Grove Boulevard, Pires said.

“I love this event,” Pires said. “I get excited putting this event together, like the planning portion and everything comes together in bringing in the magic.”

One event held early in the festival was the “Santa Rescue,” where Santa Claus was stuck on the roof of Elk Grove Lock and Safe Co. and The Sandwich Spot. In this performance, the Cosumnes Fire Department would help Santa come down from the rooftop and be led to Old Town Plaza. 

Elk Grove resident Jimmy Sandison, who attended this event with his wife Courtney and their children, said that his family loves this event and watching the fire department rescue Santa, along with visiting the local shops and vendors.

“This is definitely a holiday tradition for my family,” Sandison said. “It kicks off our Christmas holidays and spirits after Thanksgiving, so it’s our official start of Christmas for my family.”

The main stage at Old Town Plaza had live performances by Sacramento musical duo Asparagus Pee, students from the School of Rock and the Creekside Christian Church Choir. There was also a performance from the Strauss Festival Dancers.

Summer Mitchell, artistic director for Strauss Festival of Elk Grove, said that during the off months from the Strauss Festival, she and her dance troupe love taking part in other events such as the Dickens Street Faire and Giant Pumpkin Festival. Although the performances were no different than what was exhibited at Strauss-related events, Mitchell said that the group would wear costumes that coincide with the themes of the holidays. 

“Our costumes lend themselves beautifully to the Dickens Faire aesthetic,” Mitchell said. “We like to have a little spirit with the green and gold, and we perform excerpts from pieces that we performed in prior seasons.”