Wincanton Christmas Lantern Parade
The Wincanton Chamber is running its second Christmas Lantern Parade on Saturday 19th November. Last year’s inaugural parade, as part of the Christmas Extravaganza, was so popular with the children that the team decided to run it this year, despite the 2016 Extravaganza having been cancelled. The parade has been planned to coincide with the Town Council’s annual ceremony to switch on the town Christmas tree lights.
Children and parents taking part in the parade should meet in the Wincanton War Memorial Car Park by 5:15pm to prepare for the start of the parade at 5:30pm. Follow the main car park road, past the Balsam Centre, round to the right to the assembly point.
The parade will leave the car park through the archway next to Wincanton Tandoori and proceed down High Street to the Market Place Christmas tree in time for the lighting ceremony. Signs and marshals in the car park will guide you to the assembly point if you’re not sure where to go.
After the parade there will be a lantern competition. Parade lanterns can be either purchased or homemade, but only homemade lanterns are eligible for the competition. To enter, take your homemade lantern to Sarah Gibson Optometrist, Market Place, after the tree lighting ceremony. Please ensure your lantern is labelled with your child’s name, age, and a contact telephone number so that we can notify the winners.
All competition lanterns will be displayed on the “Lantern Tree” in the window of Sarah Gibson Optometrist. Winners will be announced on or before 11th December 2016, after which will be able to collect your lantern. Winners will be asked to collect their prizes at Santa’s Grotto on 11th December in The Sweetman Hall at The Bear Inn.
Chief Elf Sarah and her team are looking forward to seeing you all and your beautiful lanterns on 19th November.
Important Lantern Safety Information
- Battery operated candles and lights only please. NO real candles.
- Only ONE adult accompanying each child please – this is for safety and to allow all the lanterns to be seen.
- By participating in this event you agree to abide by all instructions given by the marshals at the parade.
- Parents are responsible for their children at all times.
For the safety of the children and parents taking part in the march there will be a rolling road closure with safety vehicles at the front and rear of the parade. Marshals will control the parade as it makes its way down to Market Place. Please note that there will be NO FULL ROAD CLOSURE in effect, so vehicles will be free to drive up High Street.
Please ask all friends and family coming to watch the parade to stay on the pavements for their own safety.
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