CAMBRIDGE, Ohio—(AVC News)—A large crowd gathered on a blustery Saturday night at the Guernsey County Courthouse to be a part of opening ceremonies of the Dickens Victorian Village.
The ribbon cutting, candle light ceremony ushered in the 21st Dickens Victorian Village as well as the 20th year for the Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show.
Dickens Board President, Sandy Daugherty Monahan served as the master of ceremonies, who noted that new this year, the various Dickens scenes in Downtown Cambridge will have QR Codes to further explain the display.
Those addressing the crowd included Mayor Tom Orr, Director of the Guernsey Co. Library, Michael Limer, Queen Victoria and Joel Losego of AVC Communications.
Also introduced to the crowd was the 2026 Little Dickens Princess, Wrenlee LaCroix.
During his remarks, Losego thanked the numerous “elves” that make the light show so popular, then gave a brief history of the courthouse light show. Losego noting how, former owner of AVC Communications, Grant Hafley first brought up the idea of lighting the courthouse, funding the first show himself.
The original light show had the light show run through 330 control channels, compared to the current show, utilizing over 81,000 channels to control over 100,000 points of lights.
The light show, thanks to donations from visitors and the community, continues to grow and now includes a high tech 23 foot Christmas tree and over 60 animated displays. Look for new additions this year when you visit the courthouse.
Representing the Guernsey Co. Commissioners, Jack Marlin addressed the crowd then presented Losego a proclamation by Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, honoring Hafely and Losego for their efforts lighting the courthouse each Christmas season for the past two decades.
Holiday music was presented by the Chordial Chorus under the direction of Dr. “Berk” Jones.
Officials then gathered and sliced the ceremonial ribbon, beginning the 21st annual Dickens Victorian Village Celebration.
A group candle lighting was also part of the ceremony, with the crowd joining the Chordial Chorus in the singing of Silent Night.
And with that, the 2026 edition of the Guernsey Co. Courthouse Holiday Light Show sprung to life.
There are numerous Dickens related events taking place into December.
For more information go online to dickensvictorianvillage.com or stop at the Dickens Welcome Center, located at 708 Wheeling Ave in Downtown Cambridge. Additional information on the Guernsey Co Courthouse Holiday Light Show can be found at yourradioplace.com.
Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by AVC News
