Each year since 2000, the families and members of Heritage Christian Church dust off their best 19th Century clothing and brush up on their British accents as they prepare for their annual Dickens Village. Dickens Village has become one of Fayette County’s most popular holiday attractions with its live stage show, shops, and charming townsfolk that help local residents and even some out of state guests get into the holiday spirit.

“Each year we try to add a little something new and improve on the whole Dickens Village experience,” says Shellye Febrey who will be participating for her fifth year with the production. “Last year we had 4HIM, a Contemporary Christian band, kick off opening night which drew a sell out crowd and people from all over the southeast.” Dickens Village is a completely free event and last year’s 4HIM show was the only ticketed event. This year opening night has a whole new dimension.

The idea for this year’s opening event actually started a year ago at the Main Street Fayetteville Tree Lighting Ceremony where a young man named Joshua Gordon stole the hearts of all those in attendance. Joshua is a student at the Joseph Sams School, a school for children with special needs. Joshua was chosen by Nancy Price, the Director of Fayetteville Main Street, to light the tree in the Fayetteville Square. Joshua was a hit with everyone that night, especially the cast and crew of the Dickens Village performers who participated in the tree lighting ceremony. Little Joshua was the inspiration for Dickens Village’s 2005 opening night event, “Tiny Tim’s Celebration of Giving.”

“We have always thought of Dickens Village as a gift to our community,” Greg Marksberry, Senior Minister of Heritage said. “We want to bring a bit of cheer and hope during a season that some people might feel loss a little more than usual,” Marksberry says, referring to a passage in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” when two good-hearted businessmen appeal to Ebenezer Scrooge to help out those less fortunate. “Christmas can be a time when loved ones who are no longer with us are missed more deeply or this may be the first Christmas after a family tragedy. We just want to give people some hope with a dose of love and we also want to give something more. That is where Tiny Tim comes in,” Marksberry states with a smile.

“Tiny Tim’s Celebration of Giving” is headed by Heather Papay who has a heart for children. “We wanted to feel that we are true to what God has called us to as Christians and loving and helping people is how He wants us to do it,” says Papay. “On opening night along with local school choirs we are having a silent auction for Christmas trees and wreaths with all the proceeds going to the Joseph Sams School.” Local businesses and private donors are sponsoring trees that will be auctioned during opening night.” Two of the sponsors, Starbucks at the Avenue in Peachtree City and Belk Department Store in the Pavilion in Fayetteville are doing more than just sponsoring trees and wreaths.
“We want to be part of the community here in Fayetteville and not just a department store,” said Randy Goram, store manager at Belk, “As often as we can, we want to serve the Fayette County community by providing a helping hand to charitable organizations.” Belk was the featured tree at the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3, in Fayetteville. Debbie Fuller, manager of Starbucks in the Avenue in Peachtree City, is also a very community-minded business person. “Whenever we can do something for our community, especially for children, I am all for it,” says Debbie. Mary Jones, who manages the Starbucks in the Pavilion in Fayetteville, is joining forces with Debbie to show that this event is about community and not competition. “The Starbucks family is a tight-knit group of people and we certainly want to do well in our own markets, but when it comes to helping our community we don’t look to compete for who is serving the most coffee, we cooperate to see how we can help.” This year Starbucks is not only sponsoring a wreath, but will also be providing coffee and hot chocolate for the opening night event.

This year’s attractions within the recreated Victorian Village include a Christmas tree shoppe, beverage street vendors, Christmas carolers, candy, candle, toy and woodworking shoppes, and a live action nativity.

Dickens Village opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday, Dec. 11. Admission and all attractions are free. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the village closes at 9 p.m. Each evening “The Heart of Christmas,” a presentation of Christmas memories through story and song, will be performed. Friday and Sunday’s performances will take place at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s performances will take place at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to accommodate both performances. Dickens Village is located at Heritage Christian Church, 2130 Redwine Rd., Fayetteville. For more information about Dickens Village and “Tiny Tim’s Celebration of Giving” call 770-716-5768 or visit www.dickenshcc.com.

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