Lights go on tonight and Christmas Fair tomorrow

Welshpool will switch on its Christmas lights tonight and the annual Winter Festival follows on Saturday.

The lights are to be switched on by Welshpool’s Carnival Queen, Sian Williams, at the Town Hall with the evening starting from 5pm with a ‘Winter Wonderland’ in the Corn Exchange consisting of Santa’s grotto (free of charge, 5pm-5.45pm but spaces are limited) and a children’s craft area.

At 6.15pm, a procession which includes the Newtown Youth Band, reindeer and Santa, will leave the Tourist Information Centre, arriving at the Town Hall ready for the lights to be switched on by the Carnival Queen at 6.30pm.

Following the lights, the Corn Exchange will again open for visits to Santa’s grotto and craft activities. Refreshments will be on sale in Welshpool’s Indoor Market, with the market stalls also open throughout the evening for Christmas shoppers.

From 6.30pm, for a better view of the lights, a vintage open top bus will make trips around the town free of charge.

On Saturday, the Winter Festival will take place from 10am to 4pm, with street, craft and charity stalls, entertainers and more.

The Rotary Club of Welshpool will officially launch the Tree of Light 2106 at 10.30am on the Cross, with carols and mince pies.

Entertainment includes performances from Buttington Musical Theatre, local singers Rebecca Melia and Eleri Willson and Adiict dance group. The open top bus will again make trips around the Town Centre free of charge.

A new addition to the event, a music ‘stage’, will be located on Hall Street, with local bands performing throughout the day.

Building on the success of last year, Puzzle Square shopping area will again host musical performances, with carols by their Christmas Tree at 3.30pm.

The Puzzle Square schedule is:

11.30am Start introduction and announcement of the Winter Festival activities in Puzzle Square.

11.35am Sonya Smith performance and then introduction of The Angel Voice School performers 
12 midday The Angel Voice School solo performers (28.49)
12.30pm Ian Smith (25 mins)
1.00pm 7 to 10 year olds songs (10.13)
1.15pm Background music and information on all the shops in Puzzle Square (25 mins) 
1.45pm 11 to 18 performances (9.54)
2.00pm Cathy Beech (25 mins) 
2.30pm Adults performance (10 mins 39)
2.45pm Christmas Carols around the Christmas Tree

On the street keep a look out for Sylvesta the Jester and Father Christmas.