Oswestry Christmas Live
Oswestry Christmas Live has now been running for the past eight years and has continually been one of Oswestry’s most successful and well attended annual events. In fact, judging by the number of people who attended, this event could well have been one of the best Christmas Lives. The event comprises of much planning in order to make it run smoothly and every effort is made for it to be as safe as possible.
The event opened at 6.00 pm on the evening of the 2nd December 2011, by which time the roads had been closed for three hours so that everything could get into position. The synthetic ice rink arrived earlier on in the day and was operational by 1.00 pm providing free time slots until 7.00 pm to the local schools and community groups. The huge amusement rides proved to be as popular as ever and it was great to so many people enjoying themselves, particularly the young.
A number of food and craft traders took part in the Christmas Market which was situated down Bailey Street and a collection of charity stalls were located on the Bailey Head. Local live Christmas music was provided by the Ifton Band, Stones Prime Percussion, Oswestry Choral Society and Weston Rhyn Choir who sang Christmas Carols. The Bailey Head was the location for the award winning Porthywaen Silver Band and later by the Orthopaedic Choir. To compliment the music and singing, local street entertainers walked the streets on stilts to add further excitement to the night. Finally, as well as opening late, the Indoor Market provided the venue for the Santa’s Grotto which managed to raise an impressive £340 for Hope House.
Many shops and businesses participated in the late night shopping in Oswestry which is every Friday in December, this is supported by the Town Council by offering free parking after 5pm and also after 2pm for the week prior to Christmas. The thousands of people who visited the town on the night certainly enjoyed the spectacle and it proved there is a real demand for the event. The introduction of the Christmas Market and synthetic ice rink have both added to the family experience, providing a new dimension and variety to the night. Also, the wide selection of choirs and brass brands located in numerous locations really helped with the festive appeal.
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