Final preparations are underway for Shrewsbury’s Christmas Cracker event [Weds 23rd].
Organisers are hoping to start the festive season with a bang with an evening of fun-filled entertainment for all the family to mark the launch of the town’s new Christmas lights and the first late night shopping evening.
The event is being held in various locations within Shrewsbury Town Centre from 5pm until 8pm. Parking in Shropshire Council car parks, and Park &,, Ride, is free from 4pm (excludes Raven Meadows &,, The Strand).
The event is being led by Destination Shrewsbury, a partnership organisation with responsibility for promoting business and tourism in the town, and is sponsored by Darwin Matthews Solicitors.
A packed programme of entertainment is planned including performances by brass bands and choirs, dance displays, appearances by the pantoyerwhatyerwhat cast ayeayefrom Theatre Severn’s Aladdin and the Cartoon Festival’s Barry the Shrew, the Rotary Tree of Light switch-on and a special secret performance at 6pm.
Severn FM will also be there on the night, broadcasting live from the event, and there will be a chance to try traditional eggnog and experience Shrewsbury Market Hall’s Christmas Shopping Showcase from 4pm until 7pm.
One of the highlights of the evening is set to be Shrewsbury’s first Christmas lantern parade which will see families processing along the town centre’s streets, illuminating the way with their pre-made lanterns produced in a free workshop which took place last Saturday.
The lantern parade, which will be headed by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Tony Durnell, and Town Crier, Martin Wood, will start at 5.45pm from the former Shoezone unit in Riverside Shopping Centre.
John Hall, from Shop in the Loop and Destination Shrewsbury, said everyone involved in the event had worked hard to deliver a packed schedule of entertainment for all the family.
“There really is something to keep all ages entertained,” he said.
“Everyone has worked hard on pulling together a packed programme of entertainment. Special thanks must go to the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres who have provided performance spaces and indeed to all our partners for working together to bring about this wonderful event.
“Don’t forget, as well as entertainment throughout the evening shops will also be open late, we’ll be launching our Shrewsbury Shrew competition and there is free parking in the town centre from 4pm.”
For more information about the event email info-shrewsburytowncouncil@shropshire.gov.uk