Downtown McKinney turns back the clock for 28th Annual Dickens of a Christmas on Nov. 28 to Nov. 30

Believe! 10k Run on Nov. 29 in Mitchell Park

By Brandi Hart
McKinneyUpdate.com

Created at 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 25, 2008

Downtown McKinney will turn back the clock and look more like something out of the 1800s as the 28th Annual Dickens of a Christmas free event will feature Santa Claus, a snow sledding hill and something for everyone from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30.

People will get to slide on a snow covered hill near the northwest corner of the downtown area, near Virginia and Kentucky streets, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 30.

Dickens of a Christmas will also feature a tree lighting ceremony at Dr. Glenn Mitchell Park, one block west of downtown at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Mayor Bill Whitfield will speak at the tree lighting ceremony. The city of McKinney is using the same pine tree that was used during last year's Dickens of a Christmas celebration as the city has planted a permanent tree on the park site to be used as the decorated Christmas tree.

Santa Claus will visit downtown this weekend and pictures with Santa will be available from noon to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 30.

Other activities at Dickens of a Christmas will include listening to strolling carolers, face paining, sand art, children's art and craft area, pony rides and many other fun events for the entire family. The city of McKinney and the McKinney Main Street Department is hosting the annual event and is currently accepting applications for volunteers. To fill out an application, visit the Main Street Department office at city hall, 222 N. Tennessee St. or call the city at 972-547-7500.

The Believe McKinney 10K, 5 K and 1 mile holiday walk will be held at various times in the morning Nov. 29 beginning at Mitchell Park. Free holiday portraits will also be taken at the St. Andrews tent located on the square during the three-day Dickens event. For more information please visit www.believemckinney.org. Proceeds from money raised at Believe 2008 will benefit The Holy Family School of McKinney.

Participants can register in person for Believe 2008 at the McKinney RunOn! store at 5180 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 200 from now through Nov. 28. Registration will also be available the day of the event at the St. Andrew's booth at Dickens of a Christmas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28. Registration is $20 for adults from now through Nov. 28 and will be $25 for adults on Nov. 29, the day of the event. Registration will be $15 for children up to 12 years-old and seniors and will be $25 for children and seniors the day of the event.

"A Christmas Carol" play will begin on Friday, Nov. 28

The McKinney Repertory Theater will also bring back its popular play "A Christmas Carol", which will begin on Nov. 28. The play will tell the story of the novel written by Charles Dickens about Ebeneezer Scrooge and the haunting of three ghosts who help infuse him with the spirit of Christmas. "A Christmas Carol" will be featured at 2 p.m. on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, and at 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center at 111 N. Tennessee St. in downtown McKinney. The play will also be shown on Dec. 5 through Dec 7. For more information, visit the MRT's Web site www.mckinneyrep.org/events.html or the MPAC's Web site www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org .