Eleven Roses Ranch and their mules returned to the market to give visitors rides around downtown. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

LAKEPORT – A bright autumn day was the backdrop for the sixth annual Dickens Christmas Market.

The community event – sponsored by the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce – sees downtown Lakeport transformed into a Victorian village, complete with singers and other performers.

Many people attended in the type of period dress right out of a Charles Dickens novel. Among them were David and Margaret Retherford, who came in costumes made by Margaret herself.

David and Margaret Retherford in authentic period dress. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

This year, 63 vendors lined Main Street in downtown, and were visited by people from around the county and beyond.

Eleven Roses Ranch returned this year with their trusty mules to offer wagon rides through downtown.

The day's weather was so good that by mid-afternoon some folks wearing costumes may have been wanting to trade their cravats and overcoats for T-shirts and shorts.

The day ended with the annual lighted parade through town, followed Hospice Services of Lake County's Light Up A Life tree lighting event in downtown.

E-mail Harold LaBonte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The weather for the sixth annual event was unseasonably warm at times. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

Hospice Services of Lake County hosted the Light Up A Life benefit, with a tree at the museum at the event's centerpiece. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}