Organizers of the annual Dickens Village Festival in Carlyle are preparing for a milestone year.
The 15th annual community event will happen on Dec. 1 and 2 at locations in the community. The festival has become a popular event, not just with people in the town, and those from outside of the community who flock to Carlyle for the activities that have a Victorian theme.
Highlights each year include a breakfast with Santa Claus, an English market craft sale, a high tea in the afternoon, free entertainment, a family pub, carriage rides, Tiny Tim’s taste tour, a lighted night parade through downtown Carlyle, and the annual play. Many people from the community will don Victorian era clothing.
This year’s production, Carol, is already nearly sold out. Performances will happen at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 3. The play was written by Jessie, Dianne and Sam Twietmeyer, and also has original music.
“It’s just another version of Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol,” said Slykhuis.
Her husband David is involved with the production, and has been having a great time during rehearsals.
Each year the community stages a performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that has a twist, and this year’s production has a Wall Street theme.
Tickets are nearly sold out for the evening performances, and there are only about 50 tickets available for the Dec. 3 matinee.
Slykhuis said organizers have also had an “explosion” of vendors for the English market.
“We’re going to have three locations,” said Slykhuis. “We’re going to have the Happy Gang Centre, the senior’s centre, for one. There’s one building just slightly off Main Street (for the market). And then there’ll be one on Main Street.”
As part of the 15th anniversary celebrations, organizers have introduced Scrooge’s Candy Shop in the front entrance of the Carlyle Observer newspaper. Old-fashioned candy and home baking will be available.
“It’s one way of Scrooge making money this Christmas,” Slykhuis said with a laugh.
There will be antique furniture to help decorate the building.
Businesses and residents in the town can enter decorating contests held in conjunction with the festival.
Slykhuis hopes the weather will co-operate. The forecast looks good for next week, and Slkyhuis is optimistic the nice weather will continue into early December.
Businesses have come forward to sponsor different aspects of the weekend, she said, which allows organizers to offer activities over the course of the two days, and put on a good weekend for everybody.
