A LANTERN Parade for local schoolchildren is just one of the new initiatives planned for this year's Edwardian Christmas Weekend.
Preparations are now well underway, say organisers of the weekend, North Yorkshire Cultural Events (NYCE), who took over from previous organisers, Knaresborough’s Chamber of Trade.
The three-day event takes place from December 2-4. In a first fo
r the town, a children’s lantern procession will take place before the traditional switch-on of the Christmas tree lights on the Friday evening.
Launching the event earlier this month, director of NYCE William Culver-Dodds said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such a great event. . .We have worked hard to build on the success of previous years and although we have introduced some exciting new elements, we hope we have kept true to the heart of the Christmas markets.”
Martyn Gibson, of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said: “Earlier this year we invited NYCE to take over the management and development of the annual Christmas and Spring Markets. We have worked closely with them and are looking forward to the market weekend.”
Along with Father Christmas, the Christmas lights switch-on and children’s rides, this year also sees more quality stalls.
Local independent stallholders will be selling goods from traditional sweets to Christmas decorations and flowers with stalls from Yorkshire Forward’s Yorkshire Food Group, as well as Made in Yorkshire stalls featuring Yorkshire art, craft and design.
Charity stalls will be in the Holy Trinity Church grounds following concerns that local organisations would not be catered for.
There will not be a fireworks display on the Sunday evening but a stage in the market square will mean there will be entertainment throughout the weekend from Knaresborough Silver Band, Henshaw’s Hotspots and young musicians from King James’s School.
NYCE is providing park and ride facilities from GSPK on Manse Lane and working with Harrogate and District Travel to promote special family tickets.
The markets will be open from 2pm-9pm on Friday, December 2; 10am-5pm on Saturday, December 3, and 10am-4pm on Sunday, December 4..
l Further details on the website: www.nycevents.co.uk
