Community invited to Santa's parade and Christmas lights switch-on in Forres
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A MUCH-loved event is making a welcome return at the end of the month.
The community is invited to the first official Christmas lights switch-on – at 5pm on Saturday, November 27, at the Tolbooth – since 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.
Forres Christmas Lights Committee (FCLC) spokesman, Alan Hunter, confirmed the town’s Christmas tree centrepiece, donated by Moray Estates and transported by Tommy Gill, will be delivered and decorated on Sunday, November 21.
He said: “During the afternoon, entertainment will be provided by Wave Radio and Elgin City Band.
“At 4.30pm, Forres and District Pipe Band will lead Santa and the following children’s parade from the town hall to the tree. We hope that as many children as possible will join the parade.
“Come in fancy dress or just come as you are... but please join us!”
Twenty volunteers started putting the lights up at 7.30am on Sunday, October 31 and made good progress to get most of them up before the rain hit in the afternoon, eventually finishing at around 3.30pm.
The display includes two new cross-street lights worth £3100 – partly funded by £1000 from the Adam Family Foundation – and three new displays paid for by a local business worth another £900.
“We put the lights up every year to bring a bit of cheer to the town – and to attract visitors to a more vibrant High Street,” said Alan.
“During the summer months, committee members spent a lot of hours repairing the older lights, testing each and every one.
“Unfortunately due to Covid numbers rising, the committee took the reluctant decision not to have a Christmas Market with tea and mince pies this year.
“However, we are looking forward to inviting the children to meet Santa at the town hall before the parade along to the tree for the big switch-on.”
Children wishing to take part are asked to meet at the front of Forres Town Hall at 4.20pm.
Traffic will be diverted away from High Street from 4-6pm so drivers attempting to follow North Street and Caroline Street will also be asked to use adjacent streets during this time.
