Hey, it's Brian. Before we get started, I just wanted to remind you that if you leave a review for the podcast on Apple Podcasts, that's what they call iTunes nowadays, I'll send you a Christmas Past sticker, along with a handwritten note of gratitude. Just leave a review and then write me at Christmas Past Podcast at gmail.com. Give me your Apple Podcast's username and a mailing address.

Your reviews help more people find the show,

so it's like spreading Christmas cheer.

Thanks.

I'm strolling down the streets of Victorian London,

past the tailor shop and the baker selling mince pies,

rubbing elbows with lords and ladies, lots of waxed moustaches and fur handmuffs to be seen,

when I come across a group of musicians out in front of a tavern.

Music of a tavern. Moving on I see chimney sweeps and festive dancers, telegram delivery boys,

and everywhere you go, people tipping a top hat to wish you...

Happy Christmas, welcome here, welcome here. Now if it sounds like I've gone back in time,

well, I guess I have, sort of. But to be more precise, I have gone to the Cow Palace in San Francisco

for the 36th annual Dickens Fair, where from late November through Christmas Eve Eve,

this Cavernous Expo Center is transformed into something

like a walk-in Victorian Christmas postcard.

You can meet old Fezziwig and Father Christmas.

The play for Father Christmas!

See body musical numbers and other performances By actual chestnuts roasted on an open fire

And these warm roasted cinnamon almonds

That are worth the trip in and of themselves

Trust me on that one

You can even meet the Queen and Prince Albert.

...