聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 The 14th Annual Dickens Village Festival is set to transport Carlyle to Victorian England in order to celebrate author Charles Dickens鈥� work, which includes the popular 鈥楢 Christmas Carol,鈥� and the Victorian age. The event, always held the first weekend in December, will be held on Dec. 2 and 3 this year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Dickens Village Festival has thrived in the community and has become a unique experience enjoyed by all, attracting many visitors to the area each year, but also locals interested in taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that the event offers.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 It is a true community event with churches, service groups, and volunteers coming together to ensure a great event, one which brings joy to all鈥� except for the town grump, Ebenezer Scrooge (a character played by David Slykhuis the day of Dickens), who can be found wandering the streets: 鈥淏ahumbug.鈥� Stop for a photo with him, the town Bobbies, or anyone dressed for the Victorian era.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Also remember to look for Santa Claus on Dec. 3 in Fezziwig鈥檚 Pub (Memorial Hall) where Santa photos will be taken for the cost of a donation to the food bank 鈥� food or cash accepted.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The event includes an English and a Victorian Market Place 鈥� a perfect place to find last minute Christmas gifts or to treat yourself, free entertainment can be found at Fezziwig鈥檚 Pub throughout the two days, High Tea complete with period hats is a must at the United Church, take in Tiny Tim鈥檚 Taste Tour, enjoy food vendors on the street, carriage rides, lighted parade, and theatre performances.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Event chairperson, Shelley Slykhuis, has said of the upcoming event, 鈥淲e are excited for the crowds! With last year so nice, people made the drive to check out the festival and said they were coming back!鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Additionally the Cornerstone Theatre group has developed a new production this year, which as always is based on 鈥淎 Christmas Carol,鈥� but this year they鈥檝e reimagined the tale to fit the 1950s/60s theme. Tickets are going quick, but are on sale at The Pearl Boutique on Main Street in Carlyle.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 With Christmas cheer spread each year, the town of Carlyle also enjoys participating in a Christmas lights competition, which allows visitors to take in a twinkle tour in the evenings during Dickens as well.
