Sadly summer is coming to a close and the cold weather of winter is about to creep in, but on a positive note, with winter comes Carlyle's annual Dickens Festival.
The Festival centres around transporting Carlyle into the Victorian era, which has been embraced by the town.
The two-day event brings in tourists from near and far, with some even making it a winter holiday destination. Last year approximately 400 people signed the guest book and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Held annually for the past 11 years, the committee is looking forward to continuing to bring smiles to peoples' faces.
Always found the first Friday and Saturday of December, this year's festivities will be held on Dec. 5-6.
From the long standing tradition of the Cornerstone Theatre's imaginative retellings of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to the absolutely delicious food found along Main Street in the evenings to markets and art displays around town, the Carlyle Dickens' Festival is widely celebrated.
Another one of the main draws is the High Tea found at the United Church where those stopping in even have the choice of donning a hat from the Victorian era to embrace the festival, while servers dressed in period-pieces hustle to and fro, ensuring an enjoyable stop for tea.
Live music and an opportunity to warm up if cold comes through, stopping at Fezziwig's Pub, the bottom level of the Carlyle Memorial Hall, where many local talents can be found taking the stage.
One of the best experiences of the festival can be walking down Main Street in the evening where loaded baked potatoes, mini-doughnuts, turkey legs, and chowders await the palate. Timing it right will in fact leave you enjoying a warm meal as you watch the parade floats roll through town.
Held through snow, rain, and shine in the past, Dickens' Fest is an effort put forth by the event committee and is helped to become a success through community spirit.
Chair of the Dickens Committee, Shelley Slykhuis, is excited again for the event and encourages those who haven't experienced the event to stop in for a fun family weekend in Carlyle.
