It’s time to embrace the joy of the season and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way as only historic Jacksonville can—with Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas Celebration!
This annual, highly-anticipated event is thanks to much hard work by dedicated individuals who make Victorian Christmas not only possible, but enjoyable for all! Volunteers and chamber members work like elves behind the scenes setting the stage for a successful gathering.
Kudos to Don Tollefson for capably handling the fabulous Christmas Tree Lighting this year, which happens annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
And what better way to gather in festive spirit, than with a parade? Jacksonville’s Chamber of Commerce is delighted to bring the merriment of the season ringing down the street on Saturday, December 2nd, at 10 am. The Victorian Christmas Parade starts on South Oregon St., turns right onto California, then left down 5th St. to New City Hall, (the old courthouse), allowing for plenty of viewing room for the crowds that pack the town for this event every year. Be sure to arrive early for a parking space and to secure your favorite spot. Last year the parade attracted an estimated 3,000-4,000 spectators.
“Everyone loves a parade, right?” says Jerry Hayes, man at the helm of the Victorian Christmas parade for his third year. Jerry shared a hint of what we have to look forward to this year. “Some of the most popular entrants are the Las Palmas Equestrians, the Taiko Drummers, and of course the marching bands of which we will have contingents from North and South Medford High Schools and Southern Oregon University. The fact that it’s a small-town parade with some of the participants being local groups, local businesses and lots of kids who make the parade that much more fun for spectators and participants alike. It should be lots of fun!”
Victorian Christmas lights up the four weekends after Thanksgiving and includes narrated historical tours aboard the Holly Jolly Trolley (through December 30th). Tickets are purchased at the Visitor Information Center and are $10 for adults, $5 for children ten and under. Hop aboard the beloved trolley and learn about Jacksonville’s colorful past while viewing historic homes and businesses that started it all. Trolley drivers Brian and Mike might even let you clang the bell.
The 1873 Cornelius Beekman House on E. California Street, home to Jacksonville’s wealthiest pioneer family, has long been a favorite stopping point during the holidays, when it’s adorned for an authentic Victorian Christmas. Tours are offered every twenty minutes between the hours of noon-3pm, on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets may be purchased online at historicjacksonville.org. See ad page 8.
Father Christmas will be available weekends until Christmas, 11am-4pm, to hear Christmas wish lists, inside the historic Beekman Bank.
Support LOCAL businesses. Come for the parade or a trolley ride and STAY for dining and shopping. Jacksonville merchants are ready to help check-off your gift list by filling their stores with unique gifts sure to delight. See you there!