Dick Van Dyke was unable to make a scheduled appearance on Saturday during the third edition of Vandy Camp, a fan gathering hosted at the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater located at Malibu High School. His wife, Arlene Silver, confirmed that the beloved actor would not be present as initially intended (as reported by USA Today).
As Silver took to the stage,she humorously introduced herself as “not the Van Dyke you’re expecting,” and clarified that her husband would not be attending this year’s Vandy Camp in person.
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“I apologize,” Silver told the audience gathered for Vandy Camp. “When you reach 99-and-a-half years old, there are good days and bad days. And even if you’re 40 years old, those days exist too. Regrettably, today is not one of his good days; he’s feeling unwell and can’t join us.”
Despite his absence from the event, Silver reassured attendees that Van Dyke would be watching from home. Fans worldwide expressed their admiration for him after she encouraged everyone to share what he meant to them. Shortly thereafter, Van Dyke made a brief appearance via livestream during Vandy Camp.
During this livestream segment, Silver expressed her optimism about Van Dyke’s participation in future events: “I’m quite confident he will be here for next year’s Vandy Camp.”
A Day of Party: What is Vandy Camp?
The one-day festival features performances by both Van Dyke and Silver alongside their musical group known as Vantastix. The event includes live music performances,curated clips showcasing highlights from Van Dyke’s illustrious career,along with an interactive Q&A session where fans can engage directly with their idols.