Ten years ago an idea was formed, based on an event in Garrison, N.D. and the town of Carlyle came to begin hosting the Dickens Village Festival. Since its inception in Carlyle the committee members have found, to the best of their knowledge, they are the only group in Canada to host such an event. Several in the United States host something similar, but it is a unique experience in Carlyle.
In order to pay for the event the committee holds two rummage sales, one in the spring and one in the fall. Not only is this a way to raise money for the festival, but it also acts as an advertisement throughout the year reminding people it is an upcoming event.
When the event first began the group held the festival for two weeks as Garrison, N.D. held theirs for three. They eventually decided to host the festival for one weekend only, which has come to be the first weekend in December every year with the event being held on Nov. 30 and Dec.1 this year.
"Almost every church is involved, both schools are involved, Lions, the Museum, Fire Department, Cornerstone Family and Youth, businesses have come on board and lots of individuals too," Shelly Slykhuis, chair of the committee, stated. "It's a fundraiser for every one of our groups. I'm not sure who makes what, but all funds made stay in the community. It's a huge fundraiser for the Museum as they do the lunches and is an excellent fundraiser for local activities."
Every year they have followed a very similar template for the festivities. They offer a craft sale at an English Market Place, free entertainment at Fezziwig's Pub, High Tea, Tiny Tim's Taste Tour, a variety of food vendors, carriage rides, a Christmas decorating competition, a lighted parade, and theatre performances.
Everyone is encouraged to dress for the occasion to help create the feeling of being transported back in time, especially those in businesses on Main Street.
The Christmas decorating competition has three categories: Traditional, Novelty, and Victorian. Traditional includes decorations of red and green lights with wreaths, while Novelty includes the giant blow up Santa's with reindeer. Victorian decorations then include clear lights with green and red bows. This is an attempt to get the whole community involved in the season of the festival as they encourage both businesses and homes.
The Cornerstone Theatre Company also holds a Christmas musical comedy every year. This year Samantha Twietmeyer is using Dickens', A Christmas Carol, but altering it slightly to include the author's 200th birthday which was in February of this year. Tickets for the show are currently on sale at the Cornerstone Theatre's box office, which is held at Cornerstone Shoes. These tickets move fast so get them while they're available.
"Two years ago they sold out on Saturday a week before and in 2011 they sold out two weeks before," Slykhuis exclaimed.
Lining up the author's 200th birthday and the Dickens Village Festival's 10th anniversary was simply a happy coincidence and will bring with it a few new excitements. Slykhuis has explained she is currently working on two English bobby costumes to help create the Victorian atmosphere the committee establishes for the weekend.
They are also going to have two markets this year to accommodate the 18 vendors who have shown interest in displaying their goods. The English Market will be held at the Happy Gang Centre and the Victorian Market will be hosted along Main Street.
Cornerstone Family and Youth also hold a Festival of Trees where they sell decorated Christmas trees.
Despite following a familiar style every year the festival has changed and evolved over time. Slowly acquiring more decorations, carts for vendors, and have been able to transform the town into a Christmas wonderland.
Overall, it is a fantastic way to invite tourism to southeastern Saskatchewan.
"We want to showcase the area, get people to shop here but also to take out the commercial feel. It's a family oriented sort of thing. Fezziwig's Pub is a family establishment, as long as kids are with their parents. It's also a way to get kids and teenagers involved in the community," Slykhuis explained.
The committee attempts to transport people into the era of Dickens as youth dress in costumes mirroring the street urchins from Victorian Europe. The classic tale of Oliver Twist and the imagery from that time are attempted to be created in the present. The youth must sing songs and act as beggars with their tin cans.
"One year they were able to raise $1,700," Slykhuis exclaimed.
Other characters that can be found wandering the town include Father Christmas, the town crier, Ebenezer Scrooge, street urchins, and many more from the area attending in costumes to set the ambiance of the event.
Recently this exciting event has garnered national attention. They were nominated first for Saskatchewan Event of the Year with a budget under $20,000 and became finalists, but did not win though it was an honour to be recognized.
The Dickens Village Festival was then nominated for a Canada wide event; though they didn't make it to a finalist spot the committee was extremely pleased to have been nominated. The Canada wide event was host to finalists including the Calgary Stampede, so this was a great pleasure to be nominated and in the running against such an event.
They have received requests from Today's Parent, Canadian Living, and have been included in a variety of other magazines. This is something they're very excited about as it will help to spread the word concerning this exciting event.
Through the years they have acquired a number of street lights, which look like lanterns lining Main Street. Six more lanterns are to be put up along Railway Avenue from the Museum to Main Street. These lanterns help to create the Victorian setting the committee attempts to achieve every year, while also promoting businesses. In all there will be 32 lanterns standing tall throughout our streets.
It has become a destination event for some.
"Last year we had over 900 sign the guest book... three women I met, one sister had moved to Regina from Newfoundland and her sisters planned their trip to come visit around Dickens so they could all come and take in the festival," Slykhuis said.
This year is a very exciting time for the group because not only will they be holding their 10th anniversary; but, they will be able to invite more people to the area.
"The town now has two new hotels for accommodation, for people to come and experience everything. Before they might have been tempted to come, but didn't really feel like driving home afterwards. Now they don't have to, they can stay right here because we have the room," Slykhuis stated.
The past few years have also seen an influx in people due to, Women on Wheels. A group of 60 to 70 women dressed with either pink or green scarves arrive on a bus around 5 p.m. to see the scenery, shop at our local businesses, and take part in the excitement of Dickens.
"Homespun has been going for 26 years, this we've hit the 10 year anniversary and it's just getting bigger and better. Some businesses do very well with this. With accommodations now more people will come because they will have a place to stay. We'll see what unfolds in the next few years, but we'll keep going. As long as we have the commitment from the community it will keep going," Slykhuis stated.
To become involved in the action, as the committee is always open to new people, contact Shelly Slykhuis at (306)453-2878.
Remember to look for details coming soon concerning the weekend's festivities.
