It seems that people can’t get enough of Carlyle’s take on the Victorian-era Christmas.
The town once again was transformed into a community, similar to the one found in Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, for the Dickens Village Festival Dec. 2 and 3. Hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the various activities that were held over the course of both days.
“It was an overwhelming success again this year,” said Shelley Slykhuis, who chaired the event’s committee.
Daily events included an English market craft sale, a high tea, free entertainment, carriage rides, Tiny Tim’s taste tour at various local businesses and a lighted parade through downtown Carlyle.
Home Hardware took first place in the parade both nights. The Town of Carlyle was second and Reliable Metal Buildings was third on Dec. 2. The 206 Salon was second and the Carlyle Bakery was third for the parade on Dec. 3.
Food trucks were also on hand for both days, and there was a Christmas decorating competition for both residents and businesses.
In the residential category, Don Wiebe won for best Victorian-themed home, Cindy and Dale Smythe had the best traditional decorations, Dennis MacDonald and Connie Young had the best novelty decorations, and Eddie and Audrey Brady won for the best-decorated apartment or condominium.
In the business category, the 206 Salon won for the best Victorian themed decorations, New Dimension had the top traditional decorations and Subway had the best novelty decorations.
The Cornerstone Theatre presented Wake up Little Scroogy, which was a rock and roll musical comedy that represented the festival’s traditional spin on A Christmas Carol. It was performed in the evenings of Dec. 2 and 3, and the afternoon of Dec. 4.
Many of the town’s residents were dressed in period costume each day. Those who were decked out as urchins were collecting donations for various causes.
Slykhuis said it’s hard to pinpoint the number of people who attend each year, but a total of 376 people signed the guest book at the high tea, and sold out crowds of about 225 people watched each production of the theatre performance.
“I seemed to see a lot more kids this year,” said Slykhuis. “I think it was more family oriented. The weather was nicer, so they were out enjoying it that much more.”
Organizers wanted to offer more for the young people this year, so they had free skating at the rink for children for a couple of hours on Dec. 3.
She believes the light snowfall the town received on Dec. 3 also created a more festive atmosphere for the event.
The Saskatchewanderer tourism ambassador, Neil Fisher, was in Carlyle for the festivities on Dec. 3, and offered high praise on his Twitter feed for the event, calling it the perfect way to kick start the holiday season.
The festival attracted people from across the province, but they also had people from small towns and big cities alike throughout Canada, and from such areas as New York, Alabama, Scotland and Northern Island.
The festival carries a significant economic benefit for the community. Not only do the downtown businesses benefit from the increased traffic generated by the festival, but Slykhuis estimates there are about 15 organizations that receive funds from the weekend.
“Dickens really is a fundraiser for the different organizations that are out there, so when they can see that as a benefit to participate in such a way to raise funds (they will),” she said.
Next year will be the 15th edition of the Dickens Festival, and Slykhuis has already been looking for ideas to enhance the weekend. She cited such ideas as a bangers and mash fundraising supper, a Dickens float for the lighted parade or a fruitcake toss as ideas that could be incorporated for the milestone event.
But she stressed, they could use a few new faces on the committee for next year to add some fresh ideas.
