by Alan Quick

UP to 2,000 people are expected to crowd into Crediton’s Town Square on Saturday, November 25, to enjoy entertainment and Crediton’s Christmas Lights Switch-On.

The entertainment will begin at 2.30pm and end at 6.30pm.

This year, there will be Christmas images to hunt using augmented reality, which, it is believed, is a “world first” for such an occasion.

Christmassy themed images will be placed around the town square, that when viewed via a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet, will come to life as Christmas animations.

There will be a number of different Christmas images to hunt out, so those attending are advised to keep their eyes peeled!

One word of advice is to download the required app to your device in advance. The app is called Zappar.

Running order for the event is:

2.30pm Winkleigh Morris perform in Market Street

3pm Town Crier welcome in the Town Square

3pm Land train starts giving rides

3pm Hayward’s and Landscore School Choirs perform

3.15pm Charles Academy of Dance perform

3.20pm Exeter Street Band perform

3.35pm Sandford Sings perform

3.50pm Winkleigh Morris perform

4pm Children’s Fancy Dress judging (Magical Theme) (Crediton Methodist Church)

4.05pm Charles Academy of Dance perform

4.15pm Chamber of Commerce Traders Race

4.30pm Parade assembles at the top of Market Street

4.45pm-5pm Parade leaves Market Street and makes its way onto the Town Square

5pm-5.15pm Arrival of Father Christmas, thanks and Lights Switch-On

5.15pm-6.30pm Live Band, The Beatnxs, perform.

Roads in the area, including North Street, Market Street and others, as well as the Market Street car park will be closed from 2pm to 7pm. There will also be a parking suspension in the immediate area from 12 noon to 7pm, which means no parking.

Market Street car park will be closed throughout the afternoon.

On the day all the lights on the trees adorning shop and business fronts in the town will be switched on, as well as three cross-street decorations and those at St Lawrence Green.

The Lights Switch-On, trees and decorations are part of the Christmas in Crediton committee plans to brighten up the town for the festive season, making it a special time for the people of the town and to encourage everyone to shop locally.

The Christmas in Crediton committee is a sub-committee of Crediton Town Council, all volunteers, individuals and organisation representatives, which has held meetings regularly all year-long to plan the lights and town celebrations.

Crediton Town Council makes a financial contribution to the project and sponsorship also comes from a number of businesses in Crediton.

Main sponsors are Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Create Storage, Yellow Mouse Studios Ltd, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Chamber of Commerce. Many other businesses have made donations to the lights and project and individual helpers and volunteers have helped to make the Christmas project possible.

Electricity from a "green" provider for the lights for the main tree during the Christmas period is to generously be provided by The Green House.

Volunteers from Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Tesco put up the lights around the town, which will have electricity connected to them in the near future.

Crediton firefighters will also be attending with a fire engine, Crediton Guides will be attending and support will also be provided by Moto Velo.

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 on Saturday, November 25.

The Rotary Clubs of Crediton, Lions Club of Crediton, Tesco Crediton staff and Crediton Air Cadets provide volunteer helpers to assist with the evening alongside volunteer individuals. Crediton Arts Centre is also actively involved in helping with the event. Electrical works, much of it free of charge, is again being kindly supplied by Jo Ward of Crediton.

The Children’s Fancy Dress competition prizes have been generously donated by Crediton Tesco.

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.