Good Weather, Crowds Kick Off Dickens Festival [Photos]

The weather was just chilly enough to be festive without freezing the folks who came out on Friday night to witness the first night of the Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson. A cast of characters looking like they stepped right out of the classic 19th Century Christmas tale roamed the village among tourists and residents.

We started off the night with a special sneak preview of the Drowned Meadow Cottage transformed by Pat Darling into Santa's Workshop, complete with three custom designed gingerbread houses so detailed they have to be seen to believe.

The town crier announced the begining of the festival at the opening ceremonies and Mayor Margot Garant ceremoniously handed over the key to the village to the Mayor of London at the .

The Long Island Gay Men's Choir gave two performances that night, one at the Church and another in Chandler Square while music was heard at both the and the Masonic Temple.

Enjoy our photo gallery from the first night of the Dickens Festival.