As the leaves take on their fall colors and eventually drop from the trees to the grounds of Heritage Christian Church in Fayette County, they are not the only sign of a new season. The change in the air also signifies that things are going to get a little busy in and around the church.

Each year since 2000 the families and members of Heritage dust off their best 19th Century clothing and brush up on their British accents as they prepare for their annual Dickens Village, which, this year, opens Wednesday Dec. 7 and runs through Sunday Dec. 11.

The event 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.

Admission and all attractions are free. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the village closes at 9 p.m. Saturday evening features two stage shows and gates will open at 5:30 p.m. to accommodate both performances.

“Each year we try to add a little something new and improve on the whole Dickens Village experience,” says Shellye Febrey who will be working on her fifth year with the production. 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 (director of Fayetteville Main Street) to light the tree in 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.

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,” said Greg Marksberry, senior minister of Heritage, “and we want to bring a bit of cheer and hope during a season that some people might feel loss a little more than usual.”

What Marksberry referred to was 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. And that is where Tiny Tim comes in,” Marksberry said.

“Tiny Tim’s Celebration of Giving” is headed by Heather Papay, who says, “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. 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.

Belk will be the featured tree at the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3 in Fayetteville and Starbucks is not only sponsoring a wreath, but will also be providing coffee and hot chocolate for the opening night event.

For more information, call 770- 716 5768 or visit www.dickenshcc.com.

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