Turn back the hands of time this holiday season with a visit to historic downtown Ripon. Strolling the decorated streets and browsing through quaint retail shops will take you back to the good old days. There are over 30 unique gift shops, boutiques, and retail stores as well as numerous eating and drinking establishments. Find everything you need for the special people on your shopping list, all in one convenient location. After visiting our community, we know you will agree there's no place like this place, any place. Visit www.downtownripon.com for additional information regarding shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities or call the Ripon Main Street office at (920) 748-7466.
Dickens of a Christmas Returns to Ripon
Step into the past and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Victorian era at the eighteenth annual Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon, December 5 - 7, 2008. The Victorian experience starts with the downtown's most popular event, Living Windows which are enacted only on Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Walk down main street & visit scenes from times past created by Ripon merchants and residents. This year, enter the world of Favorite Christmas Carols created in the storefronts of various downtown businesses. Take a horse drawn wagon ride, view gingerbread houses made of candy canes and sugar gumdrops, enjoy the sounds of carolers' strolling along the street, and keep an eye out for Scrooge or Bob Cratchit celebrating the Yule. The weekend is filled with numerous holiday activities such as an International Gift Market; Breakfast with Santa; Professor Freshwater's Punch & Judy Show at the Ripon Public Library; a display of nativity collections at St. Peter's Church; an Enchanted Forest of delightfully decorated Christmas trees; a holiday tour of homes, the Tuba Dan Show and Brunch; and much more. A highlight of the festival is the Dickens of a Quilt Show featuring over 100 exquisitely crafted quilts. Also, make sure to visit the unique shops of Ripon to find those perfect Christmas gifts. New this year during Living Windows is Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. It will begin at 7:15 pm with a procession down Watson Street as Mary and Joseph seek shelter from "innkeepers" at the shops downtown. The procession will end up at Great Hall on the Ripon College campus at about 8:00 pm for a fiesta featuring traditional foods, beverages and a Piñata for the children. All are welcome to this free celebration. Join us for a holiday experience you won't forget at Ripon's Dickens of a Christmas, December 5 - 7, 2008. For more information or a detailed schedule, go to www.ripon-wi.com or call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at (920) 748-6764.
Step into the past and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Victorian era at the eighteenth annual Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon, December 5 - 7, 2008. The Victorian experience starts with the downtown's most popular event, Living Windows which are enacted only on Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Walk down main street & visit scenes from times past created by Ripon merchants and residents. This year, enter the world of Favorite Christmas Carols created in the storefronts of various downtown businesses. Take a horse drawn wagon ride, view gingerbread houses made of candy canes and sugar gumdrops, enjoy the sounds of carolers' strolling along the street, and keep an eye out for Scrooge or Bob Cratchit celebrating the Yule. The weekend is filled with numerous holiday activities such as an International Gift Market; Breakfast with Santa; Professor Freshwater's Punch & Judy Show at the Ripon Public Library; a display of nativity collections at St. Peter's Church; an Enchanted Forest of delightfully decorated Christmas trees; a holiday tour of homes, the Tuba Dan Show and Brunch; and much more. A highlight of the festival is the Dickens of a Quilt Show featuring over 100 exquisitely crafted quilts. Also, make sure to visit the unique shops of Ripon to find those perfect Christmas gifts. New this year during Living Windows is Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. It will begin at 7:15 pm with a procession down Watson Street as Mary and Joseph seek shelter from "innkeepers" at the shops downtown. The procession will end up at Great Hall on the Ripon College campus at about 8:00 pm for a fiesta featuring traditional foods, beverages and a Piñata for the children. All are welcome to this free celebration. Join us for a holiday experience you won't forget at Ripon's Dickens of a Christmas, December 5 - 7, 2008. For more information or a detailed schedule, go to www.ripon-wi.com or call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at (920) 748-6764.
Dickens Event Features Tour of Homes
Ripon residents warmly invite you into their beautifully decorated homes during the annual Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 6 from 10 am until 4 pm. There are 6 outstanding homes on this year's tour, including two log homes and two homes that are over 100 years old. As a bonus, the Ripon Historical Society is opening the Pickard House, built in the 1870's, for the Tour. The "Dickens Shuttle Service" is available to take participants to all of the homes within the community. The shuttle begins its route at the St. Catherine of Siena parking lot located at the corner of Blossom and Houston Streets in downtown Ripon. The shuttle will take participants to four of the Tour of Homes locations, as well as the Enchanted Forest and the Dickens of a Quilt Show. You can ride the whole circuit for only $1. Tickets may be purchased at Ripon Drug, or at each of the seven locations on the day of the Tour. Proceeds from the Tour of Homes fund the Dickens of a Christmas festival.For more information or a detailed schedule, visit www.ripon-wi.com or call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at (920) 748-6764.
Ripon residents warmly invite you into their beautifully decorated homes during the annual Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 6 from 10 am until 4 pm. There are 6 outstanding homes on this year's tour, including two log homes and two homes that are over 100 years old. As a bonus, the Ripon Historical Society is opening the Pickard House, built in the 1870's, for the Tour. The "Dickens Shuttle Service" is available to take participants to all of the homes within the community. The shuttle begins its route at the St. Catherine of Siena parking lot located at the corner of Blossom and Houston Streets in downtown Ripon. The shuttle will take participants to four of the Tour of Homes locations, as well as the Enchanted Forest and the Dickens of a Quilt Show. You can ride the whole circuit for only $1. Tickets may be purchased at Ripon Drug, or at each of the seven locations on the day of the Tour. Proceeds from the Tour of Homes fund the Dickens of a Christmas festival.For more information or a detailed schedule, visit www.ripon-wi.com or call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at (920) 748-6764.
Ripon Offers the Perfect Gift Alternative
Have you ever had a problem choosing a present for a friend or family member? Many people experience this problem every holiday season and most are not aware of one of the best gift alternatives: Ripon Chamber gift certificates. Gift certificates are perfect for people who are concerned about choosing the most appropriate gift possible for friends, relatives or employees. Purchasing a gift certificate locally means you don't have to drive to the mall and spend hours searching for the most appropriate present. Very often, gifts grabbed at the last minute don't hit the mark anyway. That's why Ripon Chamber gift certificates have become so popular, they save time, heartache and frustration. Ripon Chamber gift certificates can be used at over 50 local businesses, and come in denominations of $5, $10, $20 & $25. When given, they can be used like cash at any participating business. Purchasing Ripon Chamber gift certificates can easily be ordered by stopping by the office located at 127 Jefferson Street or calling (920) 748-6764. In addition, custom gift certificates from local businesses are also quite appealing. Studies show that recipients of custom gift certificates feel more thought has been given to their gift. For example, certificates from restaurants or gift shops are considered by many to be a perfect gift because it provides an opportunity for them to try something new that they haven't experienced before. Most businesses will even customize certificates giving the gift a unique appearance. Best of all, gift certificates purchased locally support our economy. Last year alone, almost $60,000 in Ripon Chamber gift certificates were distributed through our community. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
