Preparing for Dickens Festival - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Preparing for Dickens Festival

As you plan for your Thanksgiving Day activities, lots of people in Garrison are putting the finishing touches on some big plans too.

The 19th annual Dickens Festival begins the day after Thanksgiving.

The festival is a celebration of the Christmas season as it was hundreds of years ago.

But it also provides a modern-day economic gift to a small town.

Jordan Pederson shows us the last-minute preparations.

A town of modern times travels back in time to the Victorian Period of the 1800's.

(Paul Schlichting, Co-Chair, Dickens Festival, Garrison) "We just turn Garrison into a quaint little English town during that time."

Every year for the past 18 years, The community of Garrison hosts the Dicken's Village Festival.

Candace Berntson, Floor Manager, Chase Pharmacy, Garrison) "It means a lot of fun, a lot of business. We have been getting ready for it since March."

This small town transforms into a treasure of entertainment with vintage costumes, unique shopping, and a ride down Main Street in your choice of a double-decker bus or a horse drawn carriage.

But perhaps the highlight of the festival is the production of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens ...with a bit of a twist this year.

(Paul Schlichting, Co-Chair, Dickens Festival, Garrison) "It is kind of a female rendition this year. There is actually a Ms. Scrooge."

Whether you want a stroll through the English Market where crafts will be set up or take in the Trains, Tractors, Toys and Car show... you'll have plenty to choose from... And Father Christmas has been known to make an appearance.

(Paul Schlichting, Co-Chair, Dickens Festival, Garrison) "What they can look forward to is having an absolute blast in Garrison. This is a family event you can come to and there is something for everyone to do."

(Candace Berntson, Floor Manager, Chase Pharmacy, Garrison) "It is fun getting to know a lot of different people."

Food Vendors line Main Street including a chili feed and a lighted parade takes place at 5:30 everyday of the festival.

(Paul Schlichting, Co-Chair, Dickens Festival, Garrison) "When you come down for the parade and you come down Main Street and people are wall to wall all the way down Main Street and that is huge. I mean that is a nice feeling."

The festival runs Friday November 23rd through Sunday the 25th.

Again on November 30th through December first and the last weekend of the festival is December 7th through the 8th.

Jordan Pederson, KX News."

For more information and a schedule of events, you can visit DickensFestival.com