Winter is coming, and so is the Carlyle Dickens Village Festival! It feels early, doesn’t it? For winter to be approaching? I mean, the beginning of November and communities are preparing for Remembrance Day events ; but the snow reminds us of the approach of another important Carlyle season – Dickens season.
Isn’t that one of the seasons in our area? Seeding, Ball, Soccer, Swimming, volleyball, harvest, Homespun, hockey, Dickens, curling, seeding – repeat.
The recent Dickens Thrift sale was a wondrous success – not only in the recycling of the contents of many community closet clean-outs, but also in the way that this community bands together to volunteer and assist
Ken King was, as usual, instrumental in helping the committee by hauling the clothing racks and helping to provide much needed manpower. The high-school kids (and Mr. Colin Wilson) were invaluable helpers as well, as they always are. Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
Fact: these thrift sales are the primary source of income which runs the whole community festival on Dec. 7 and 9. This income allows Carlyle to host the largest Dickens festival in Canada, along with a major FREE music festival and children’s activities.
All by recycling, repurposing and reusing STUFF that no longer sparks JOY for the original owners.
So, let’s talk about an opportunity for the children of the S.E. Corner of Saskatchewan. Last year, we put together a dramatic/ musical production for the children. For minimal cost, kids from the whole area could attend three rehearsals, and then both perform on the Dickens Mainstage at Fezzywig’s pub on Saturday morning AND perform in the United Church carol festival the following weekend.
It was an amazing opportunity for artistic children to participate in an “old tyme” style Christmas Concert, and to bring families together to celebrate their talents.
2018 production was led by the amazing Don Britt from Carievale.
For 2019, we have recruited the powerhouse team of Linda Coffey (Carlyle) and Tory Poirier (Manor) . They will be helping community children to act and sing and to present a production titled ”The Christmas Carol Special Report”.
Once again, we’ll be taking registration of children, and anyone who cannot afford the $25 participation fee will again be sponsored by The Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. The Dickens philosophy is that all are welcome.
For the small fee, the children will attend 3 x 90 minute rehearsals on Sunday, Nov. 17 and 24 at 12:30 and Monday, Dec. 2 at 6pm. Then they’ll perform on Saturday, Dec. 7 on the Dickens mainstage at 10am right after the pancake breakfast! Then they will have a chance to sing two of their production numbers at the United Church Carol festival on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Their $25 fee will include all rehearsals and performances, a Cratchitt Kids’ T-shirt, sound files and scripts! And a whole lot of fun! (warning – this show contains a Nativity portion of the Christmas story, so if that is troubling to families, you need to be aware).
If your child (age 6 and up) might be interested, please email michele.amy@sasktel.net, or Facebook Michele Amy or text 306 577 3447 and we’ll get you all registered! Cast is limited to 20 children and notes will be sent out to surrounding schools this week.
Watch the Carlyle Observer for news on What’s New at the festival for 2019. And if you’d like to participate by being a host/ hostess, or helping to lend a hand for an hour or two, please drop a line to Michele Amy or Shelley Slykhuis (committee chair) and we’ll make sure that we contact you when we’re making our lists.
