There are Great Expectations for this year’s Broadstairs Dickens Festival as the town celebrates 200 years of the Victorian author. Kaynat Choudhury reports.

It is the time of year when Broadstairs becomes unrecognisable and turns into a Victorian holiday destination.

People are milling about in long petticoated dresses with bonnets or breeches and top hats to celebrate the town’s connection to Charles Dickens.

The festival promises to be bigger than ever in tribute to the author and his love for the area he named “Our English Watering Place.”

Thousands are expected to attend many of the events planned in the week dedicated to Dickens.

The first day brings the Victorian country fair back to the town. Stalls of jewellery, antiques, delicious preserves and Victorian outfits, among others, will be there to entice visitors. The fair will remain open throughout the week. The Dickensian bathing party, the first of three at Viking Bay, is also on Saturday, June 16 and will present bathers the chance to be greeted by the royal Queen Victoria. Other chances to frolick in the waves will be on Monday, June 18 and Friday, June 22.

Get your bowling arm ready because the village cricket match will take place at Victoria Gardens on Sunday, June 17. Remember to dress in your Sunday best, as the Victorian Queen will be there too. Everyone will be left wanting more after watching this year’s festival play at the Memorial Theatre. Oliver Twist will be showing every evening from Saturday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 20.

The garden party, hosted by the Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship, will be on Wednesday, June 20 so be ready with your mallets to play some croquet with the Queen and Charles Dickens himself.

The Charles Dickens Museum will be holding their own literary festival celebrating the great works of Charles Dickens.

Other events include a historical display and firing demonstration by the 4th Battalion Royal Foot Atillery, Prom-on-the-Prom musical entertainment by BAE Systems Brass Band and performances from Broadstairs’ school children.

Grand Parade is on Saturday, June 16, from the War Memorial to Victoria Gardens at 2.30pm.
Festival opening ceremony is at 3pm on Saturday, June 16.
Victorian Country fair will be from Saturday, June 16, to Friday, June 22.
Dickensian bathing party with the bathing belles is on Saturday, June 16; Monday, June 18 and Friday, June 22, from 11am.
Oliver Twist will be showing from Saturday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 20. Tickets £9, children £4.
Village cricket match is on Sunday, June 17, from 1pm.
The Royal Command Performance at the Victorian Music Hall by the Marley Players is on from Sunday, June 17, to Wednesday, June 20, at the Broadstairs Sailing Club. Tickets £7.
The garden party will be on Wednesday, June 20, from 2.30pm.

Broadstairs Dickens Festival runs from Saturday, June 16 to Friday, June 22. For details visitwww.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk