CARLYLE - Have you got your Dickens Village Festival costume ready? Always wanted to dress up but never quite hit the timing right?
That happened to me a bunch of years ago. It occurred to me a couple of days before the festival that I really should dress up. But I had no idea how to do that. So, thank goodness for good old Google.
I found an online Victorian museum, got a good look at the shape, headed to The Bargain Shop and bought some tablecloths, as there was no sewing supply store in town at the time, and then I dredged up my old high school sewing skills and voila – a Dickens costume.
Then I made the matching hat. My friend Emily always told me that my hat looked like an ironing board, and she probably had a point, but I had a hat. So that was all I was going for. I’ve since upgraded the old costume and have retired the ironing board (I mean hat) but you get the idea.
A good costume really just takes a few minutes of creativity, perhaps a quick Google moment and (sometimes) access to a glue gun.
Now, as we look on the street during Dickens, we see all sorts of Victorian garb, from Bobbies in their blue uniforms to fancy dress outfits like the deluxe dress which Lorri Solomon sports, to the low-class maid outfits complete with mop hats, waifs in slouch hats and homespun pants. Of course, there's getting growled at by Ebenezer Scrooge himself, replete with fancy period garb.
We’ll see the many crafted hats at the Carlyle United Church courtesy of the amazing Irene Doty (who made sure to pass them on to Bev and ensure the tradition continued after her passing), and many handsome men in full top hat and tails. We see the many outfits handily sewn by Shelley Slykhuis, and many more crafted using tree skirts as shawls.
It’s a veritable panoply of costuming, including hats which closely resemble miniature ironing boards.
For those sporting a costume of any sort, please stop by Fezziwig’s pub at the Carlyle Memorial Hall, sign the guest book and get your festival pictures included for the Observer.
Because running an event like this really does take a whole village or town, the businesses are busily decorating their storefronts in anticipation (and taking advantage of some lovely weather to do so). Many organizations around town are preparing their lighted float for the 6 p.m. parade which happens both Friday and Saturday. I’m sure the many children around town are finding a good bag for all the candy they collect
The Santa run, sponsored by Living Skies Strength and Conditioning gym, the pancake breakfast on Dec. 7 are busy getting supplies and volunteer lists ready. The United Church folk will be decorating their trees, baking scones and making vats of tea in preparation for the high tea celebration.
The Catholic Church will be preparing the chowder, the many community groups have started getting their food booths ready and the folks who shall be selling at the Victorian market are madly involved with preparations to show off their hand-made wares at the elementary school location.
And Cornerstone Theatre is busy rehearsing their latest offering, It’s a Wonderful Hockey Life, and the music will be worth the price of admission, with a live band and incredibly talented vocalists. And of course, Paul Twietmeyer and crew always create the most amazing sets. But tickets sell our really fast for the three official productions, so maybe get yours soon.
If you cannot make those because you’re busy working at the festival, just pop on down to the dress rehearsal on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. You’ll get a good idea of the shenanigans which happen spontaneously as the crew puts together a production, and you can just toss $20 into the collection plate – a percentage of which is designated for the local food bank.
And watch next week (or on Facebook) when the entire lineup for the free music festival is unveiled. Old-time dances; Cratchit kids’ production; the Amazing Al Simmons, who has wowed audiences on huge stages across Canada; the Cornerstone open mic which features Canadian Grand Master fiddler Emily Dubois; local powerhouse Dianne Twietmeyer; as well as special festival guest Errol Kinistino (of Dog River fame) as well as country songbird Eli Barsi, who will also have her merchandise for sale.
And this year, after the play, two different bands will keep the party going at the Fezziwig’s Pub – the Teagan Littlechief Band and then the Moxie Blue Band. It’s going to be amazing, so plan to put on your fancy dress and parade on down to Fezziwig’s for a great community gathering over the Dickens Festival weekend, Dec. 6 and 7.
