MORE than 30 shopkeepers and businesses in Crediton will be giving everyone the ultimate Christmas shopping experience tonight, Friday, November 27, when the people of Crediton turn out to attend the Light Switch On and parade.

The late night shopping evening, organised with the support of nearly all the town’s shops and other businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the Crediton Christmas in Crediton committee, will take place until 9pm.

Many shops will be providing drinks and nibbles and Crediton Town Band, Great Western Morris and dancers from Charles Academy of Dance, will be entertaining at various locations along the High Street in advance of the parade.

It is also hoped there will be musical and other entertainment.

Pubs and restaurants will also be open.

The High Street and Union Road as well as areas around the town square will be closed to traffic to enable the parade to take place, as well as the Light Switch On and late night shopping opportunity.

Tara Conabeare, chairman, Crediton Chamber of Commerce, said: “Please come down and join in the fun this evening.

“All the shops will be open and there will be lots of Christmas gifts already out on sale.

“It will be a great atmosphere. Please support your High Street. It is packed with beautiful shops.”

Crediton Chamber of Commerce is one of the sponsors of this evening’s Christmas in Crediton celebrations.

There will be a fairy tale theme and more than 80 trees on shops and business fronts and two cross-street decorations will be lit, as well as the large tree in the town square.

Other sponsors are Crediton Dairy, Graphic plc, Create Storage, Hedgerow Print, Crediton Town Council, Crediton Traders Association and Shakspeare Editorial.

Many other businesses have made donations to the lights and project and individual helpers and volunteers have helped to make the Christmas project possible.

The running order for the evening is: 7pm Opening of the Town Square by the Town Crier, Live Music from Skaper until 9pm. Also at 7pm, High Street entertainment begins and will include Crediton Town Band, the Great Western Morris dancers and a dance group from Charles Academy of Dance.

At 7pm, children are invited to enter the Fancy Dress Competition, which has a Fairy Tale theme. Registration will be in the Methodist Church Hall and the judging will then take place outside Redvers House in Union Road.

Dozens of children will take part in the competition and the winner selected will perform the official Light Switch On later in the Town Square.

Children, once judging has been completed, will join those gathered at St Lawrence Green for the parade.

Everyone is invited to gather for the parade from 7.30pm and it will move off down the High Street at about 7.45pm.

The parade will include groups, individuals, people carrying flags, snowflakes and lanterns. A walking band will play for the parade, as well as the morris dancers, Town Crier, Mayor and Mayoress of Crediton, a Pied Piper and rats, Crediton Scouts, Charles Academy of Dance, Tinkerbell, lots of children, adults and local groups of people.

Lanterns and Snowflakes, of tissue and willow, will be carried in the parade, thanks to Crediton Arts Centre.

In the square there will be also be a visit by Father Christmas.

The committee is grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Crediton and other groups who will be providing marshals for the parade and assisting with the road closure.

The public is advised to please note the road closures.