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Dickens Fest Goes On In Wake of Founder's Death

By Paul Biasco | September 12, 2013 8:22pm
 Dickens Fest co-founder Richard Harris, inset, died last week.
Dickens Fest co-founder Richard Harris, inset, died last week.
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DNAinfo

LINCOLN PARK — This weekend's Dickens Fest in Lincoln Park will be without one of its founders, Richard Harris, who died last week.

Harris, who was known to many as "Dickie," had the idea of restarting the small neighborhood fest about five years ago.

"Years ago there was a fest on Dickens and it went away," said John Corry, owner of Four Farthings Tavern and Grill. "We talked at the bar about five years ago and he said 'Hey what do you think about having a fest out here?'"

With that, the fest was created, and Saturday afternoon it will mark its fifth year.

The intimate neighborhood fest, which takes place on Dickens between Lincoln and Mohawk, kicks off at noon.

Corry, who started the event along with Harris, plans on saying a few words in honor of his friend and will have buttons with his photo for guests.

"He was just one of those guys that was involved in the neighborhood behind the scenes," Corry said. "He's just one of those guys who was pleasant to talk to. If you needed him to do something, he'd get it done no questions asked."

In an email, Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) encouraged Lincoln Park residents to attend the weekend fest to celebrate the "community that Richard loved."

This year's festival will include live music throughout the day and into the night as well as food, children's activities and a craft beer tasting from 3-6 p.m.

"It should be a great day for it, I think the support will be there in part because of the weather and a large part honoring Richard Harris," Corry said. "He's one of those guys that everyone knew. Whether they knew his name or not, they knew his face."

The music lineup for the day is:

1-3 p.m. — Pat McKillen

3-4:30 p.m. — Fred Barbini Trio

5-6:30 p.m. — Mike Balentine (Elvis tribute)

7-8 p.m. — Heartless ('80s and '90s cover band)

8:30-10 p.m. Joe Bachman