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Dickens Village Festival looking for committee members to ensure continued success

Dickens Village Festival developed in 2003 as a unique and fun way to showcase the area, an attraction and community event that draws hundreds of people to Carlyle each year.
Dickens Festival
Arcola's Garth Herman “arrests” Dickens visitor Barb Kreics of Lampman at the Dickens High Tea in Carlyle at the 2015 Dickens Festival. “We've been here for Dickens four or five times,” says Kreics. “The weather this year made the drive so easy. But we've come during blizzards before,” says Kreics. “It's a great time!” To ensure the festival continues to be a success and run smoothly the committee is looking for new volunteers.

                Dickens Village Festival developed in 2003 as a unique and fun way to showcase the area, an attraction and community event that draws hundreds of people to Carlyle each year. Over the past 13 years the Dickens Festival has continued to grow and the community has embraced the transition to the Victorian-era the first weekend of December with decorations, costumes, markets, a constant retelling of an always uniquely re-imagined “A Christmas Carol” by the Cornerstone Theatre group, a lighted parade, and some of the best food by vendors set up along Main Street fundraising for their community groups.

                “Our vision is to showcase the area, businesses, the different organizations and groups, and the friendly people,” Shelley Slykhuis, chair of the Dickens committee, explained. “The committee coordinates the festival in such a way that all groups benefit fully. We do this by having no duplicate selling item.”

                However, as the Dickens Village Festival continues to grow and support in the community is high, the committee which facilitates the event is shrinking and they are currently in need of volunteers to help continue making the event a success.

                “We’re looking for more committee members, to just help and bring new ideas,” Slykhuis said.

                Currently there are only seven members on the committee which hosts the large event including Shelley Slykhuis (chair and promotion), Sheila Colpitts (treasurer), Dolores Young (outdoor supper vendors and fill-in secretary), Sandra Dyer (English market), Kellie Anderson (costumes), Shannon Klatt (Cornerstone Theatre and Fezziwigs family pub), and – in her final year on the committee – Sheila Menard (entertainment and hospitality). A new entertainment person is beginning in 2017.

                Needed to ensure a smooth Dickens Festival immediately, however, are a secretary and decorating coordinator for 2016, as well as someone to take over hospitality beginning in 2017. Additionally, Slykhuis explained it would be very nice to have members at large to also work on the committee.

                “The festival is put on by 99 percent volunteers,” Slykhuis added. “Businesses financially help out by donating to the Christmas stocking. Also, CMP, Merit Ford, and Reliable Metal Buildings sponsor the carriage rides.”

                Additionally, the Dickens Village Festival have worked to put Carlyle on the tourism map with the event.

                “Over the years we have received suggestions to add to the Dickens Village Festival. The first idea was the lanterns; there are 35 custom made, sponsored lanterns down Main St. and Railway Ave. Our Victorian carriage is now a year round display promoting the festival.”

                “Our current project is the Victorian park on Main Street. This is a work in progress; there are two benches available to be sponsored and we would like to add more greenery as funds become available.”

                The Dickens committee also hosts a spring and fall thrift sale each year, the first week in May and the first week in October, which the committee not only sees as a fundraising opportunity but it is also a service to the community.

                If interested in volunteering with the committee, contact Shelley Slykhuis at (306)453-2878 or stop by the next Dickens Village Festival meeting on Monday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at N’Dyer Need which is located on Main Street between the Canada Café and The Pearl Boutique. The meeting will only be an hour long and will focus on the May thrift sale.

                “We welcome people with ideas to attend a meeting, Dickens committee has allotted funds to promote the activities,” Slykhuis added. 

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