Dickens Festival 2017

We are extremely lucky to live in part of the country where we once housed Charles Dickens both in his early years and his last years; because of this we have several events throughout the year, like the Sweeps and Christmas market in Rochester to enjoy together.

 

One of my favourites is the Dickens festival which was a staple event of my childhood and one that I like to get the boys involved with too!

 

The boys Mum also volunteers at these events so it suits us both to be involved; myself as a eager onlooker and herself as a breastfeeding support worker. So once I had collected the boys we were off to check our this years festivities and this time brought Ember and the gang along; I knew they would love it, especially after our joint trip the English festival earlier in the year!

 

The event is split into 3 areas; The street parade of characters, performers and volunteer characters and the Castle grounds with stalls, food and drink and a fairground.

 

The Characters and Performers

 

Characters

 

One thing I have always loved about this event is how the local community get involved in showing what they're skills and talents are or just the random volunteers who like to dress up and create a colourful environment.

 

First up we met a couple of Fagin's who the kids loved!

 

 

"Got to pick a pocket or two"

 

 

We then met this lovely clock face man who must be a reference to a Dickens character but for the life of me I cant think what.

 

 

Then we bumped into 2 Victorian Police officers who I suspect was trying to catch Fagin and the gang!

 

 

We even bumped into the rather creepy Ghost of Christmas yet to come and Christmas present from A Christmas Carol.

 

 

The person in the costume was on stilts and stood about 8ft tall! I have to admit that it was pretty intimidating!

 

 

All of these people just dress up for the enjoyment of the event and to enrich others for the day and it is community moments like this that make all of the difference.

 

Performers

 

We saw a Victorian Lampligher up the top of a ladder and along with stories he sang some wonderful Victorian songs like Charlie Mopps song "Beer Beer Beer" which we all loved joining in with! (Please click the link and check it out! It added such atmosphere!)

 

This guy really held the audience and having everyone singing along with him.

 

 

Along the High Street there were local dance performers like the children's dance group, Scottish pipers and band and drama teams.

 

 

 

There were wonderful dramatics from the Play On Words Theatre Company who were entertaining the crowds with different stories.

 

 

The Parade

 

At the larger festivals like Dickens and Sweeps there is usually parade along the High Street full of the street artist, performers and characters. They usually go along twice a day; they walk the length of the high street at lunch time and then as a closing "act" of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is usually quite a spectacular moment of the day. You stand and feel the atmosphere of the community spirit of businesses, volunteers, artists and performers joining together to show the love of tradition and fun.

 

The Castle Grounds

 

By this point we were all pretty tired and hungry and the castle grounds seemed the perfect place to stop and have a picnic for the kids and for us adults to treat ourselves to some special treats!

 

 

Ember, Ken and I bought some burgers and chips from the lovely guys from Scoff and Sip as well as some Strawberry Cider from the guys at Kent Cider Company!

 

 

The atmosphere around the grounds were great. You had people like us sitting together eating and drinking whilst soaking up the fun around us. I will admit though that the set up this year was a bit different and something that myself and some of the stall holders had noticed. There is usually a massive concert stand where you get bands playing live music throughout the day and this time it was absent and you lost some of the "festival spirit".

 

 

Admittedly there was a bandstand who played beautifully but it wasn't quite the same!

 

Stalls

 

As always, there were some wonderful stalls filled with great local products for us to enjoy.

 

 

Like the other events we had to stop at The Chocolate Hut. I know we always feature them but I think that is a testament to how scrummy their food is. This time we all treated ourselves to something different and something we could take home and eat the following day!

 

 

James got a chocolate "Scotch egg" which he scoffed down and made Will and I quite jealous!

 

Whilst William tried their new Nutella brownie! He was excited to try something new and revelled in the fact that I couldn't eat or try any!

 

I am just greedy and went for the Millionaires Shortbread and the Chocolate brownie. As always they were all spectacular and worth every mouthful and every extra inch to my waistline ;)

 

 

Back at the event the kids also had a chance to try some hot ringed donuts which, again, didn't last long!

 

We also had time, again, to visit the wonder Simply True stall where the boys and girls loved getting new necklaces from the lucky dip baskets.

 

 

A new stall that we found were the guys over at Mighty Fine Things that were featuring some lovely Coxy Liqueurs.

 

After all that food and drink it was just enough time to walk around the castle grounds and fairground. (I have no idea where James gets his poser attitude from!)

 

Overall

 

 

Despite the atmosphere and lack of music in the castle grounds the overall feeling was amazing.

 

 

There was something there for not only the kids but for us adults too and a lot to fit into one day. We might have had slightly lightly pockets but that was fine considering it was nonstop fun than actually having Fagin and the gang pinching!

 

It has been and continues to be one of my favourite traditions and events of the year and I know many others feel the same! Fun, family, food, music and community all coming together for the greater enjoyment for all and, in times of worry and darkness that we see on the news (in this country and others), is something that I think we all need.

 

What do you think? Would you have liked to come along?

 

If you want to see more photos of the event then please check out Williams Gallery of photos of the day!