With just a short time to wait, the annual Carlyle Dickens Village Festival is ready to be swinging the days of Dec. 3 and 4.
As always, the décor of the town will be tinged with that Christmas flavour, with a special focus on mid-Victoria period styles.
Held on the first weekend of December, the Dickens fest seeks to recreate an image of late-18th century London.
Besides the atmosphere that the town creates, many events are offered to keep the visitor entertained throughout the two-day event.
The merchants are booked, and the tables will be full at the English Market.
Offering a unique shopping experience of many crafty, artsy, and practical items, the English Market is always a great place to do some of that Christmas shopping.
As in previous years, the English Market will be housed in the former Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Plains Co-op location on Main Street, right next to the Co-op's present location.
As well, the local merchant community will be taking part by supporting the Tiny Tim Taste Tour.
Making sure that no one goes hungry while getting their winter business done, the participating shops will have some tasty treats for visitors available throughout the festival.
The Parade of Lights is also set to go, though there is still room for people or organizations to take part.
Happening on both nights of the festival, the Parade of Lights is an eye-catching display of colour, and one of the more popular events for visitors to the community.
Organized this year by Lee Bitternose, anyone or any organization looking to take part in the parade can contact Bitternose for further details.
The Cornerstone Threatre players are up to their usual magic, and have planned a three-day presentation.
Taking place on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. as well as on Sunday at 2 p.m. these talented thespians will be dishing out a serving of holiday cheer with their Charles Dickens-themed presentation.
With the play selling out in recent years, and with assigned seating, it might be wise to pick up your tickets in advance.
The advance tickets are now on-sale at Cornerstone Shoes.
Fezziwig's Pub will also open again this year, and will be hosting live music throughout the two-day festival.
Street vendors will be out, but this year a tent, located at the south-west corner of Souris Ave. and Main Street, will be available for the ease and comfort of both the food vendors and their customers.
Carriage rides will also be offered at no charge again on both days of the festival.
With a set path going through all the different venues in town, the carriage is a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the season, as well as the spirit of the times the Dickens festival recreates.
The High Tea and Quilt display at the Carlyle United Church located at the intersection of Souris Ave. West, and 2nd Street West.
A popular event offering tea, treats, and an amazing selection of hats, it is usually the place to be when it's open.
The High Tea will run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on both days of the festival.
If you plan on being out and about on Saturday morning, don't forget to stop by and visit with the Carlyle RCMP Detachment, and their special guest Santa Claus, for a pancake breakfast between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. hosted at Memorial Hall.
Among the various decorations that go up to provide that taste of mid-19th century London, England, one of the newest and proudest for the Dickens Festival Village committee are the 11 large, metal-bodied lanterns that will be prominently hung along the lampposts on Main Street.
Built on special order to resemble the massive, wrought-iron lanterns that used to (and in some areas of London, still do) adorn the streets of that city.
Each lantern is more than five feet high, and will be decorated as befits the period and season.
"We are really happy we were able to get those lanterns," said Shelley Slykhuis, the chair of the festival committee. "It is part of our continuing effort to add to the atmosphere on Main Street for the festival."
"The community involvement is really what makes the festival work," said Slykhuis. "The whole community, from the businesses to the average people in the street, pitches in one way or another."
"The Dickens festival is a chance for Carlyle to open its doors to the wider community," Slykhuis explained. "We've gotten responses and questions from people all over the province and further afield, as public awareness of this wonderful event stretches further and further every year."
