聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 The 14th Annual Dickens Village Festival is set to transport Carlyle to Victorian England to celebrate author Charles Dickens鈥� work, which includes the popular 鈥楢 Christmas Carol.鈥� The event, always held the first weekend in December, will be held on Dec. 2 and 3.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The event which has thrived in the community has become a unique experience enjoyed by all, attracting many visitors to the area each year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 It is a true community event with churches, service groups, and volunteers come 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�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The event includes an English and a Victorian Market Place, free entertainment at Fezziwig鈥檚 Pub, High Tea complete with period hats, Tiny Tim鈥檚 Taste Tour, food vendors on the street, carriage rides, a Christmas decorating competition, lighted parade, and theatre performances.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Event chairperson, Shelley Slykhuis, says, 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 1960s.
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.
