The Carlyle Dickens Festival remains a hit, not just with the people of the Carlyle area, but it’s a drawing card for people outside of the town.
The 17th edition of the festival took place Dec. 6 and 7. The town was transformed into a quaint, Victorian-era village from the days of Charles Dickens classic novel A Christmas Carol.
Activities were offered in Carlyle throughout the two days, with many of the activities centred in the downtown area. Many of those who attended and volunteered dressed up in period costumes.
A total of 866 people signed the event’s guestbook, although Slykhuis noted that not everybody who attended signed the book, while others who attended both days signed just once. But they had signatures from people across the country and even one person from Germany.
“He was in the area touring around, and he stopped and experienced the festival on Saturday (Dec. 7),” said Dickens festival committee chair Shelley Slykhuis.
Proceeds from the festival will be split between the different organizations that put it on. Some new organizations were involved this year, which means even more people will benefit from the weekend.
Attractions both days included a festival of trees, soup and sandwich luncheons, high tea and a bake sale, horse and carriage rides, food vendors, a lighted parade down Main Street, the Cornerstone Theatre presentation of Arrgh Humbug and socializing at the Fezziwig Pub.
Entertainment over the two days was provided by the Caragana Ramblers; Happy Wanderers; Roy Rutagines; Michele Amy, Donna Turk and Laurie Fornwald; Teagan Littlechief; the Cratchit Kids with their Christmas Carol Report; Focal Point; Family Christmas carol sing-along; children’s entertainer Danny Kazam; Hints of Harmony; the Country Gospel Hour with Anthony Kelly and Family; Donna and Morgan Turk; Liam Easton; and Dale Mac and band.
A breakfast with Santa, an English market and stew and biscuits were served on Dec. 7.
The lighted parade attracted 32 participants, and Slykhuis believes it was the longest ever for the event.
“We were in awe standing there and watching it from the chowder shack,” said Slykhuis.
Organizers have been trying to get people and businesses to participate.
Awards were handed out for the parade each night. For the first night, Faber’s Electric was first, Dunn Transport was second, and Home Hardware and G.M. Construction were third.
The following night, Dunn Transport was first, Faber’s Electric came second and Integrity Maintenance finished third.
Each night had different judges.
“That way they don’t know who’s judging, and everyone sees things different. We’ve been doing this where we have different judges both nights just so that it gives more opportunities for other folks to do better. Everyone has different perceptions of things.”
The judges would have had a difficult decision this year, she said, in trying to decide a winner.
The theatre production was written by Doug Waldner and staged from Dec. 6-8. Each year it tells the Christmas Carol story in a different setting, and this year it was on a pirate ship.
“They had a map, they had the sails, and even the side of the stage looked like a boat, a ship,” said Slykhuis. “We were in awe.”
Decorating contests for residential and business properties were also offered. In the residential category, best Victorian home was Lisa Grimes, traditional decorating went to Christy and Jane Hislop and novelty was Ashley and Chris Simmons.
In the business division, best Victorian decorating went to King’s Department Store, best tradition was the Sustainability Project and the novelty winner was the Office Bar and Grill.
New for this year was a souvenir and coupon book that included the program, the parade map and bios on the entertainers. Slykhuks noted the committee got the idea for the addition after making a visit to Garrison, N.D. for their festival. Carlyle first had the idea for a Dickens festival from Garrison.
The committee returned to Garrison to see if they could gleam any new ideas from the American community.
“We had a 24-page book. It had information about what we’ve done in Carlyle over the years with our Dickens and how it all got started.”
People who dressed up in Victorian-era garb for Carlyle’s festival were also entered to win a prize this year.
The Dickens Festival is a big part of the community, she said, and a valuable fundraiser for all of the partnering organizations.
“This way, as a group, they were able to make their own fundraising money,” said Slykhuis. “Nowadays we want to showcase rural Saskatchewan rather than everybody going to the city or turning to Amazon, so it was a chance to see what Carlyle has to offer, enjoy the Christmas spirit and hopefully come back to shop again.”
