The Banner

The Riverside Dickens Festival attracted new, interested attendees this February 5-7, along with an exciting amount of faithful returners. The festival is held annually in historic downtown Riverside and is a celebration of the life of playwright, poet and author, Charles Dickens.

Although the Festival didn't officially kick off until Feb. 6, a social dinner and entertainment in the style of Dickens's time were held on the previous night.

The official kick off once again brought the streets of historic downtown to life. The theme this year was "A Trip to the Old Curiosity Shop". The festival included outdoor vendors, street performers, festive food, essay readings, presentations and plays centered on the theme.

The highlight of the festival was Mr. Fezziwig's Ball, a sold out event in which attendees could enjoy music by The Philadelphia Quadrille Band and, of course, participate in a formal ball in proper and elaborate costuming.

Other events of high interest included a fashion show and a Queen's tea. The fashion show's theme was "Scenes of Victorian Life" and it included original and intricate costumes like those that would have been seen in Dickens's era. The tea, held multiple times throughout the festival, allowed guests to enjoy teatime, which included an assortment of festive pastries, with Queen Victoria and her royal entertainment.

Locals especially could enjoy as students from Citrus Hills Intermediate School performed scenes from "A Christmas Carol", and students from Martin Luther King High School performed the play from which this year's theme is derived, "The Old Curiosity Shop".

Also on stage was "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby", a returning favorite, and there was never a lack of street performers to set the mood and stir excitement for the entire festival.

New this year: Oliver's Alley became an official alley. This area especially catered to children attending the Dickens Festival and included a handful of activities as well as a special teatime that they could truly appreciate.

The festival could not be complete without the food, which was in no shortage. The smells coming from all of the individual vendors left every attendee's mouth watering. In addition to food, vendors could be found selling fashion, jewelry, books, toys and even harmless weapons in the spirit of the festival.

The festival concluded after two days of exciting activities, making this year a definite success for the Riverside Dickens Festival, a time of truly nostalgic celebration.