FIREWORKS WOWED CROWDS AFTER TREE LIGHTS WENT ON
The lights were switched on by Children’s Fancy Dress competition winners, Tilly Theedom (4), dressed as an Advent Calendar and her older sister, Sophia (6), as “When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney”, both from Crediton.
Mum, Claire, said she was very proud that her daughters had won the competitions and said that special thanks must go to their grandmother, Helen Mardon, who helped with the costumes.
The countdown was led by Stu Wight after the presentation of awards to the event sponsors by the Christmas in Crediton committee chairman, Crediton Town Councillor Liz Brookes-Hocking.
Spectacular fireworks made the crowd wow as they went off after the grand tree lights and others around the Town Square came on.
Dozens of children took part in the Children’s Fancy Dress competition and the judges were Rev Helen Drever, PCSO Dave Waring and Crediton sporting hero, Dee Weiner.
MINI-PARADE
After the judging all the children took part in the mini-parade into the Town Square.
The parade was led by Crediton Scouts dressed as reindeer and leading Santa’s Sleigh.
Also in the parade were Brownies and Guides carrying lit banners, children from Sunflowers Day Nursery, the Exeter Street Band and many more.
Father Christmas appeared at a shop window after some searching and the popular Land Train took many children and parents for rides.
Winkleigh Morris danced to entertain and the Crediton Town Crier welcomed everyone to the event.
Glenys Bedford from Mole Avon Town and Countrywear was the winner of the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race.
The Turning Tides Band and pupils from Hayward’s School and Landscore School also provided entertainment in the Town Square.
There was a Winter Wonderland theme to the event.
There were food and drink stalls on the Square and a number of shops and businesses stayed open late.
The weather remained fine for the event, the drizzly weather coming to a halt just as the event began at 3pm.
120 TREES AND STARS
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 were lit and many people commented how good the town looked.
Mid Devon District Council kindly agreed to free parking all day at the High Street (St Saviour’s Way) car park for the event.
Local band “LOSt COYOTES” provided entertainment in the Square until 6pm.
Sponsors were Crediton Town Council, Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Create Storage, Hedgerow Print, Yellow Mouse Studios, Crediton Chamber of Commerce and supported by Crediton Arts Centre.
Event Organiser was Clare Dalley with Jo Ward, Light Switch-On Director, Andi Wyer, Chief Marshall, Stephanie Jones, Parade Director, and Jack Robson, Events Director.
Julie Farrell, from Crediton, said after the event: “There was a lovely atmosphere - and the rain kept off!”
ELF HUNT
The event also saw 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. 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 is now in the Town Square.
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.
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