DATE: 27TH NOVEMBER 2014
TIME: 6PM
PLACE: QUEEN’S SQUARE, WREXHAM
Join Santa and his reindeer for a parade through Wrexham Town Centre to herald the turning on of the Wrexham Christmas Lights.
The parade will begin at Queens Square and go through the town to celebrate the start of the festive season.
Children and Families are invited to join the parade, and there’s lots of opportunities to join in, starting with free Lantern Making Workshops to make your own unique lantern to carry on the parade.
The night itself will feature a family fairground; characters from pantomimes across Wrexham will be joining in with the fun and the night will also see a return to the Christmas tradition of Carol Singing, with local school bands leading the music.
Every Saturday in November leading up to the parade will feature FREE lantern workshops in locations across Wrexham so that everyone can make a lantern to join in on the night!
The lantern workshops are from 10pm at the following locations:
• 8th November People’s Market
• 15th November Oriel Wrecsam
• 22nd November Undegun
Wrexham County Borough Council, with their partners in the event THIS Project and Arts Connections hope you will come along, get involved and be part of a great night to kick off the Christmas season!
Extra, Extra
The event was thought to be under threat due to the extreme funding cuts that have been forced on Councils across Wales, but Wrexham town centre management and event teams have taken an innovative approach to working with local partners, ensuring the future of the night.
Isobel Garner, Town Centre Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council said:
“The turning on of the lights are a vital event for Wrexham attracting up to 5000 people in the last couple of years. We were not prepared to allow budget constraints to put the event in jeopardy. By working with local partners THIS Project, who have successfully set up two nationally recognised arts projects – Undegun (in the former JJB Sports) and Galeri 3B (on the site of the former Laura Ashley shop) – on a very limited budget; and community organisation Arts Connection, we are able to tap into their expertise and enthusiasm. We will be using the parade as a real opportunity to focus on the local businesses that are so important to the ongoing success of the town centre”.
Dave Gray of THIS Project said:
“With money being tight, it makes sense to scale down the event, but to do it in a positive, community focused way. Most families in Wrexham will be only too aware that times are financially challenging, and the Council has also been under a lot of pressure to make savings. But, like many of those families, we see it as an opportunity to return to more traditional values and focus on what’s most important at this time of year, and that’s bringing people together and celebrating our community. We can do that even if times are tough.”
THIS Project is a social enterprise set up by creative entrepreneur David Gray, and emerging artist Michael Jones. It is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, East Street Arts, New River Retail and a range of other sector sponsorship. Undegun and Galeri 3B have attracted over 17,000 visitors since July 2013 hosting over 100 unique exhibitions and events.
Information on Arts Connection can be found at: www.artsconnection.org.uk
Arts Connection is an inspirational community arts organisation working in North Powys, Wrexham and the border communities. We are revenue funded by the Arts Council of Wales and have provided high quality participatory arts projects in a wide range of artistic mediums since 1994
Christmas Lights and Lanterns
