GARRISON The Victorian era of author Charles Dickens comes to life in Garrison, starting Friday through Sunday, Nov. 27-29.

The 22nd annual Dickens Village Festival will continue for the two following weekends Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12 in the community proclaimed the “Christmas Capital of North Dakota.”

The festival, engineered by all volunteers, brings together many residents and visitors in this community of about 1,500 people. About 1,000 visitors attend the activities each day.

McKaila Matteson, director of the Garrison Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a highlight of this year’s entertainment will be performances Saturday, Nov. 28, of “American Idol” finalist and country music singer Bucky Covington. He will perform at shows at noon and 2 p.m. in the Kota Theater.

Other special entertainment during the festival include Travis “Elvis” Powell, Tigirlily, poet Bill Lowman, the Jamaican Me Crazy steel drum band, River Bend Gospel and Da’Lutherlic Ladies. Each will perform on specific days.

This year’s play will be a live stage performance of the Charles Dickens-inspired “A Christmas Carol by Tim,” written by Mike Youngs of Garrison.

“We have totally rebuilt the English Market,” said Matteson. She said the former English Market has a new name, Piccadilly Square, and it has some new twists. Piccadilly Square will be located in the Garrison City Auditorium.

Carriage rides will be available this year free of charge from 1-5 p.m. during all three weekends, Matteson said.

Other activities among the many planned during the festival include house tours, rides on the red double-decker Queen Elizabus, a fruitcake toss, English high tea, children’s top hat decorating activity, a Christmas quilt show and Don’t Be A Scrooge Contest.

A historic/heritage side trip is available to the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse at Fort Stevenson State Park, south of Garrison.

Vendors will be on the streets selling food.

A lighted parade is held on Main Street every day at dusk.

The support of the community and visitors make the festival a continued success, according to Matteson. Many local businesses are festival sponsors and support the festival, while the festival is an economic boost for businesses. Many visitors shop in the stores during their attendance at the festival. “It’s a win-win,” Matteson said.