Carriage rides added to Dickens in Dundee festival

The Dickens in Dundee festival may look easy and fun to put together every year, but it takes an army of volunteers and a dozen community groups to make sure things go as smoothly as weather permits.

The parade, the living windows, the breakfasts, the carriage rides and the gingerbread house-making festivities need coordinators, time and space. The Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in East and West Dundee need preparation along with dozens of cookies that will be served.

"Everyone gets involved, and we couldn't do it without all the volunteers who participate," said Karen Blair, East Dundee's marketing coordinator.

The two-day festival's chief planners are East and West Dundee employees. They plan the events and coordinate with the churches and civic groups that will host the holiday festivities on Dec. 5 and 6.

Even after 27 years, planning the festival does not become easier, said Kim Tibbetts, one of West Dundee's lead planners.

"We're always looking to see what we can add to Dickens to make it more appealing to local residents. We see what works, and we add events," she said.

"This year, carriage rides in East Dundee will be new," she said. "We'll also have events like the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in both villages and the warming houses where craft events will be."

Without such groups as the Dundee Lions Club, the Dundee Township Historical Society, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Fox Valley Library District and Immanuel Lutheran Church, the agenda for Dickens in Dundee would be lighter and the work to plan that much harder.

It also would not have the 19th century English Christmas season flavor. Since its inception, planners have striven to recreate the sights and sounds Charles Dickens, its namesake, described in his novella "A Christmas Carol."

Carolers will stroll through East and West Dundee singing Christmas carols wearing not contemporary hats and coats during the festival but overcoats, top hats, shawls and bonnets.

"(The festival is) great because it's a collaborative effort of the businesses, churches, community organizations and the several municipalities," Blair said.

The festival begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with the living windows display in businesses along North River Street in East Dundee and West Main Street in West Dundee. Also at that time, East Dundee trustees will turn on the tree lights at the North River Street visitor center.

An hour later, West Dundee trustees will switch on the tree lights at the Second Street village hall where an open house will be held.

Carolers will sing near both locations and Santa will be on hand to meet with families.

Friday's festivities end at 10 p.m., but they will resume with an 8 a.m. breakfast Saturday, Dec. 6, at the VFW Post in West Dundee. The Spirit of Christmas Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the West Dundee village hall. Units will march east on Route 72 to North River Street.

"Dickens in Dundee is unique to our area, and each year, we'll continue to enhance it," Blair said. "This year, during the Dickens weekend, we've added carriage rides on both Friday night and Saturday after the Spirit of Christmas parade."

The carriage rides will continue from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday departing from the visitors' center, 319 N. River St.

The holiday decorating contest, started last year, will again ask local residents to vote from Dec. 7-14 on the house or business they think should be crowned Best Dickens Theme, Best Use of Lighting, Best Toyland Theme, Best Apartment Dweller, Best Dundee Business and Best Winter Wonderland.

Votes can be cast beginning Sunday, Dec. 7, on the Facebook page of Cindy Kennedy Photography.

For a complete list of events for Dickens in Dundee, visit dickensindundee.org.

If you go

What: Dickens in Dundee festival

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5-6

Where: Different locations in East and West Dundee; many activities take place in Grafelman Park, Main Street between 4th and 5th in West Dundee

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.dickensindundee.org">dickensindundee.org</a>