DURING VICTORIAN TIMES, Christmas meant quality time and traditions shared with friends and family. Heavily influenced by England’s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, we trimmed the Christmas tree together, prepared and feasted on goose or turkey and other goodies, sang carols around the piano, played parlor games, and exchanged gifts—no one was to be left out.
Each year about this time Jacksonville invites you to join with the community and heartily celebrate the season old style. Our historical city is transformed into a jolly old wonderland, with lights and greenery adorning the buildings, a festive parade, carolers in Victorian dress strolling the streets, wagon rides, and, of course, Father Christmas.
I spoke with Amanda Moreira, Executive Director for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She shared a glimmer of the planned festivities. “Victorian Christmas has been a forty-plus-year tradition here in Jacksonville. It brings back some of the historic times from back in the day, traditions that used to be part of Jacksonville. A lot of families come into town who remember it when they were growing up or raising their families. They want to continue the tradition.”
Originally, the season known as Christmastide didn’t begin until Christmas Eve. Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas lights up the weekend right after Thanksgiving.
“We kick off the season with our tree lighting ceremony,” Amanda continued. “This year it will be on Saturday, November 26th at 5pm. The location is at New City Hall, formerly the old courthouse building. There will be a U-shape blocked off around City Hall along 5th St., C St., and D St. You definitely want to make that. We’ll light up the tree, and we’ll have a special visitor from the North Pole.”
The Community Center at the corner of 4th St. and Main will resume their gathering time this year. Sue Miler, Jacksonville Community Center Board President, shared their plan. “After the tree lighting, we’ll have an open house at the center with holiday decorations and music. We’ll have refreshments and warm beverages for all, and drawings for holiday prizes. There will be craft tables for the kids. It’s just an opportunity for people to come in and have some fun, play some games, etc. We plan to hold a story time for kids in the cottage. We especially like drawing in parents and kids. We want them knowing about the center and learning about what there is to do there.”
Sue’s involved with the Jacksonville Garden Club. “We have our holiday green sale, and that’s super fun. We make table arrangements and wreaths for people in town. We usually do preorders, but we also have a day when we sell them outside. This year, the sale is Friday, December 2nd between 10am-3pm in the Post Office alcove.”
Amanda continues, “The following weekend, Saturday, December 3rd at 10 am, we’ll have our Christmas parade. This year we’re extending the route two blocks down 5th Street. This will not only give more elbow room for everybody, but also allow for more folks to come in town and visit.”
Jerry Hayes, chairman of the parade committee, talked a bit about what’s happening as of early October. “We’re approaching 40 entries and hoping for at least 50. People are reaching out to us. Last year it felt so good to be out and doing things again, we’re hoping to ride the coattails of last year’s fun.” Jerry added, “One of the most popular entries returning this year is the Las Palmas equestrian horse team. Luis Rodriguez Sr., owner of Las Palmas Mexican restaurant, (which recently suffered a fire), is involved with parade planning.”
It’ll be hard to not catch the spirit with two marching bands from North and South Medford High Schools stirring-up the crowd. Jacksonville city council members will ride through town on the venerable Jacksonville trolley, and Father Christmas himself has claimed a prestigious place aboard an antique truck from the Southern Oregon Historical Society.
There still may be time to join the fun with your pineapple juggling act or talking mule. Find the entry form labeled “Victorian Christmas Parade Form” at Jacksonvilleoregon.org. “There’s no fee or anything to participate,” Amanda explained. “It’s great for non-profit groups and a good way for small businesses to get the word out about their business, and just to be a part of the community.” The sooner the better on this one.
Father Christmas will be in town and headquartered at the historical Beekman Bank from 11am to 4pm beginning Sunday, November 27th and continuing on weekends through Sunday, December 18th. After that, he and the elves have a lot of prep work to do. Come and say hi, have your picture taken, and bring him your wish list. Who knows? Maybe this year I’ll get that book contract.
Victorian Christmas provides a great opportunity to enjoy a cup of free hot cider from the non-profit groups in town and keep your shopping dollars close to home. You know, shop small—shop local.
Amanda speaks for the merchants of Jacksonville when she invites you to, “Come into town with your family and bring your wish lists. Gift certificates are a great idea, too. You can get them for restaurants, coffee shops, and other retail shops.” Gift certificates may be purchased direct from retailers or at the Visitor Information Center next to the Post Office on Oregon Street, where generic certificates are purchased in $25 increments and may be redeemed all over town. Current Visitor Center hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
I tried getting an interview with Father Christmas, but I’m sure he’s much too busy supervising those elves and getting his reindeer ready for the long trek.
The memory of my first Jacksonville tree lighting is a warm one. The crowd joins together in caroling and, for a while, you feel as though you’re in a better place and time.
Happy holidays, everyone! I hope you’ll join us in Jacksonville during this extra-special time of year.
For more – ChristmasInJacksonville.com
