Wincanton Christmas Extravaganza 2018 is just around the corner
This year’s Christmas Extravaganza is on Saturday 1st December between 1pm and 6:30pm. Extravaganza veterans will notice some changes this year, so you’ll need to be on your toes.
High Street
Stevie P will be your host on the Community Stage at the top end of High Street, being joined by the Wincanton Amateur Dramatic Society and Wincanton Youth Theatre, and the Castle Cary Cygnets and Bruton Dovecotes majorette troupes will also be performing.
Within the High Street road closure area there will be fairground rides, as well as various stalls including Charles Dowding cider and representatives from local community groups. The police and fire brigade should also be in attendance as long as there are no emergencies.
Many of Wincanton's shops will be participating in the Elf Hunt this year. Get your free entry forms from Sarah Gibson Optometrist in Market Place. Then you can search the High Street shops for the 12 elusive mini elves. Solve the competition anagram and hand in your form and you will be entered into the draw to win a prize.
Market Place
As always, Market Place will be a hive of activity with The Bootmakers Workshop hosting lantern making workshops throughout the afternoon. This is the place to be to make your lantern for Santa’s Lantern Parade. To take part in the Parade, bring your lantern to the Community Stage between 5:45pm and 6:15pm. The parade will march down High Street to Market Place in time for carol singing round the town Christmas tree, and to see the Mayor switch on the lights at 6:45pm.
Don’t forget to visit the stalls in the Sweetman Hall at the Bear Inn, Market Place. For those who like the thrill of the wild, check out Pitcombe Rock Falconry with their display of birds of prey. There will be a bar in the Market Place area providing apple juice and prosecco.
Santa's Grotto & the Christmas Tree Festival
Father Christmas' grotto is moving to a fresh location, courtesy of the Dolphin Hotel. You’ll find him in the stable block on the right side of the courtyard when you pass under the coaching archway. He’ll be there from 1pm, with last access at 5:15pm – cost £3.50 per child. There will also be a face painter, who for a fee will be happy to give festive make-overs.
The former grotto, the Baptist Church hall, will now be hosting the Extravaganza’s first Christmas Tree Festival. This is a fundraising opportunity for local groups and organisations. All you need to do is supply a decorated Christmas tree and collection bucket. Visitors to the exhibition are then able to give donations to their favourite local causes, or to the tree they like best. There’s still room for more trees, so if you know of a worthy local cause, let them know.
Funding
The Wincanton Christmas Extravaganza has evolved over the years, and to provide a growing event of this standard means growing costs. For 2018 the committee had to step-up their finance raising plans, including a successful application to the National Lottery, adding £4,100 to the event kitty. Wincanton Town Council provided a grant of £500 and South Somerset District Council gave a grant of £1,000 towards event costs.
Looking to the future, the committee used some of the funding to purchase some gazebos and PA equipment which will now also be available for community use. They also purchased folding tables, re-chargeable LED strip lights, and six imitation Christmas trees.
Programme
A glossy, full colour programme can be collected from many High Street venues. Programmes have also been distributed via both primary schools, and King Arthur’s. Special note to mums and dads: check with your kids, and perhaps do a bag search to ensure you get your programme before the event!
Road closure
To help ensure the safety of visitors to the Extravaganza, the road between the entrance to the Memorial Car Park, and the entrance to Carrington Way will be closed to traffic between 11am and 8pm. Despite the closure, please note that there will still be full access to the car parks.
Please come and support the many shops, coffee shops, food outlets and pubs throughout the town who will be open for the event. The Parish Office will also be open for visitors.
Contact
If you have any questions please contact Jane Griffin – (m) 07970687197, or via the Wincanton Extravaganza Facebook page.
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