聽 聽 聽The 12 edition of Carlyle's annual Dickens Village Festival on Dec. 5 and 6 was a resounding success, according to Dickens Committee chair, Shelley Slykhuis.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e all appreciated the weather, especially after last year,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd this year, we had visitors from across Canada, from Vancouver to Toronto and even from New York, sign our guest book.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淪omeone filled in a survey comment card that said: 'First time here, think it's a fabulous concept. Great way to kick off the Christmas season.'鈥�
聽聽聽聽 The town was once again transformed into a Victorian wonderland, marking the start of Carlyle's Christmas season as businesses, service clubs, schools, churches and individuals dressed and decorated for the occasion.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淎lmost every church in town is involved,鈥� says Slykhuis. 鈥淎s well as the schools, the Lions, the Knights of Columbus, Rusty Relics Museum, the fire department, Cornerstone Family and Youth, local businesses and many, many individuals all come together to make the Dickens Village Festival a success that continues year after year.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e couldn't do it without our volunteers,鈥� adds Slykhuis. 鈥淚 used to say it was 99 percent volunteers. Now, I'd say it's 99.9 percent. We just couldn't do it without them.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 As in years past, the festival's offerings included food, drink and free entertainment at Fezziwigs Family Pub in the Carlyle Memorial Hall, High Tea and a bake sale at the United Church, Tiny Tim's Taster Tour hosted by 11 local businesses, four markets, free horse and carriage rides, Cornerstone Family and Youth's Festival of Trees, Breakfast with Santa, a lighted parade of 21 entries, food vendors and an original adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' by Cornerstone Theatre Company.
聽聽聽聽 This year's play was an adaptation written by Mackenzie Easton, and 'A Community Christmas Carol' was packed for all three performances.
聽聽聽聽 Entertainment throughout the weekend also included harpist Sharon Elliot at high tea, a children's version of 'A Christmas Carol' written by Barb Haddow, and musical performances at Fezziwigs Family Pub by Katherine Miller and Kathy Travis, Ken Hamm, Chris Henderson, the Happy Wanderers, 麻豆视频ern Country and magician Patrick Roth.
聽聽聽聽 Slykhuis says 150 people were served at high tea on Friday and 220 attended on Saturday. 鈥淲e also had Breakfast with Santa served by the RCMP and their families and so many other great food options. The Knights of Columbus built a warming station on Main Street and served chili. The Catholic Church does chowder, the fire department does smoked turkey legs, which sold out Friday night. Shockwave Youth Group did smokies on a stick, One Church did rice pudding, the Lions did baked potatoes and the Grade 12 class did desserts.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Along with Dickens-themed events at Main Street merchants, shoppers perused four different markets. Dickens vendor representative, Sandra Dyer says, 鈥淚t's awesome. The response has been great.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Vendor Amanda Dickie of Stoughton says, 鈥淚t's my first time here in Carlyle for the Dickens Festival and I love it. I want to come back next year and buy a dress just for this event. I love it. Everyone is in the real Christmas spirit. It's real. It's family and fun and getting together, not pushing and shoving in a mall.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Local visual artist Karla Pearson agrees. 鈥淚t's been great. For me, I've had the opportunity to showcase my work with people from the area in a really relaxed, fun atmosphere.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Stephanie Klemp of Pense brought her sons, five-year-old Landon and two-year-old Rhett to the Dickens festival for the first time. 鈥淲e all loved the parade and of course, the boys loved Santa. It's been a really fun weekend.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Dickens enthusiast Marilyn Carter says that visitors are delighted by the town's transformation and that everyone can easily play a part in ensuring the unique atmosphere of the festival.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淭he expressions on the faces of visitors are priceless,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t's not hard to 'dress Dickens.' For men, it's as simple as a top hat, and those are in stores every Halloween. For women, a long skirt, a shawl and a floppy hat are all it takes. That's enough. It's really that simple.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Town councillor Jenn Sedor says, 鈥淭he town pulls out all the stops for Dickens. I'd like to thank everyone for showing off our wonderful town.鈥�
