TOMORROW, Saturday, November 24 is an exciting day for Crediton, when the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place.

This year there is a WINTER WONDERLAND theme and the organising Christmas in Crediton committee is encouraging everyone, young and old, to dress up.

The Children’s Fancy Dress Competition judging will be held at The Old Town Hall promptly from 4pm.

The event will be centred around the Town Square with entertainment, including live music, starting at 2.45pm and finishing at 6pm.

A fancy dress parade down Market Street will precede the Big Lights Switch-On on the Christmas Tree in the Square at 5pm.

Roads in the area, including North Street, Market Street and others, as well as the Market Street car park will be closed during the afternoon and until after the event ends. There will also be a parking suspension in the immediate area.

The popular Land Train will be running, providing trips around the town during the afternoon.

Winkleigh Morris will be dancing to entertain those who go along to events on the Town Square and there will also be appearances by Exeter Street Band, Crediton Town Crier, the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race, The Turning Tides Band and a combined choir of pupils from Hayward’s School and Landscore School. There will also be a guest appearance by Father Christmas.

There will be food and drink available from stalls on the Square and a number of shops and businesses will be staying open late.

The 120 trees and stars which decorate shop and business fronts and others in the Town Square, at St Lawrence Green and three cross-street decorations will be lit from tomorrow.

FREE PARKING

Motorists will be pleased to hear that Mid Devon District Council has kindly agreed to free parking all day at the High Street (St Saviour’s Way) car park tomorrow, Saturday, November 24.

Crediton Scouts are due to lead the mini-parade of children in fancy dress down Market Street to the Town Square at about 4.45pm. It will include music by Exeter Street Band.

Following the Lights Switch-On by the overall Children’s Fancy Dress Competition winners, local band “LOSt COYOTES” will entertain until 6pm.

Tomorrow will also see the launch of a treasure hunt with a twist, an Augmented Reality Elf Hunt!

Augmented Reality appeared at the 2017 Lights Switch-on event. Christmassy themed images around the town square could be viewed using a hand-held device, such as a smartphone or tablet. And, hey presto! The images came to life as Christmas animations. Anyone can enter this year’s competition.

Hunt the elf by using a hand-held device to follow augmented reality clues. The first clue will be revealed in the Town Square tomorrow.

Once you’ve followed the trail and found the naughty elf in his hiding place, take a “selfie with the elfie”. Load it up to the Christmas in Crediton “Facebook” page and you will have a chance of winning the first prize of £350 in Crediton Shopping Vouchers.

On Christmas Eve the best selfies will be picked and the winners announced on the Christmas in Crediton “Facebook” page.

To take part in the Elf Hunt you will need to download the Zappar app from the App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, simply open the app, zap the image on the Town Square Christmas Tree, and follow the clues.

WINDOW COMPETITION

The "Crediton Courier" run Best Dressed Christmas Window or Business competition will this year have no theme to any window or business display. It is hoped this will give business or shop owners and staff more scope to decorate as desired.

The competition will have a different format this year and will be judged on the number of “Courier” readers votes returned.

The competition will run from Friday, December 7 to noon on Monday, December 17. Shopkeepers and businesses will be asked to decorate their premises during this period.