Plans for a bumper 10 day Wilmslow Christmas Festival have been confirmed.
Denise Valente told members of Wilmslow Business Group at Monday's meeting that they have been working on plans since January 13th for this year's Christmas Extravaganza. Celebrations will cover two weekends and kick off on Friday 25th November when the new Christmas lights will be switched on.
A Continental Market will open on the Friday morning, located on the Alderley Road service road and stretching all the way from Sainsbury's to Multi York. It will consist of professional continental traders and a selection of businesses who have been taking part in the Wilmslow Artisan Market which Denise runs with her business partner Vicky Jackson.
Denise said "Vicky and I will be running the Christmas Market ourselves this year so we can oversee the type of traders and ensure the market is extremely successful. It will be open from 11am until 8pm most days."
There will also be a Santa's Grotto located in the Romany Caravan, which Hoopers have kindly agreed to decorate again, and an ice-rink at Bank Square. However, this year's rink will be larger and able to take a maximum of 60 skaters at anyone time.
Denise said "Last year we raised enough money through sponsorship to cover the costs but this year we are going to charge to cover the cost of hiring the bigger rink for 10 days."
New for this year will be the addition of a traditional carousel and other rides located on the service road off Parsonsage Green from Little Nut Tree Toys to Yangs.
Other events during the festival will include a Carol Concert on Sunday 4th December, organised by Churches Together in Wilmslow, which will take place outside the Santa's Grotto. The churches Christmas Tree Festival will be run to coincide with the Christmas Festival as will a Snowman hunt which is being organised by Wilmslow High School.
Denise Valente added "There are a number of marketing and sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses. We are looking for a headline sponsor for the entire Wilmslow Christmas Festival whose business will be associated with all the promotional material.
"Other businesses can pay to have their banner displayed alongside the market on Alderley Road or around the ice-skating rink which can be booked by company's for their exclusive use."
For further information about Wilmslow Christmas Festival email Denise Valente or call her on 07789 181677.
