Visitors and community welcome to Forres Christmas lights switch-on events on Saturday, December 3
THE community is invited to start the season to be jolly at the town centre Christmas lights switch-on.
Around 20 volunteers from the Forres Christmas Lights Committee (CLC) took around six hours to put them up on Sunday and are now looking forward to Santa appearing at the Tolbooth in person on Saturday, December 3 at 5pm to illuminate the high street.
CLC member, Alan Hunter, hopes the turnout will be at least as good as last year to enjoy the display which includes a tree traditionally donated by Moray Estates and delivered by Tommy Gill.
Alan said: "We would like to invite as many of you as possible to get the festivities started. We would especially like to invite youngsters to join the children's parade led by Santa and Forres and District Pipe Band. Mums, dads and prams are also welcome!
"Come along in fancy dress if you wish, or just as you are, but please help us get the season off to a great start!"
Wave Radio will be providing entertainment from 3pm and Elgin City Band will play at the tree at 4pm.
The parade will start at the town Hall at 4.30pm and finish at the tree.
The pipe band will then perform again before Santa switches the lights on.
Elgin City Band will play while Santa meets the attending children.
This year's lights were put up three weeks later than usual and in a shorter time because more volunteers helped out.
Alan said: "We normally allow for two Sundays and take Remembrance Sunday and putting the tree up into account. This year, having an experienced group of volunteers meant we could leave it a bit later."
Despite the financial crisis, CLC has erected all of the lights they usually would but, like the rest of us, are facing higher energy costs this winter.
Alan said: "They are mostly low voltage LED lights but we still have costs to meet, especially the electricity bill, so we will have volunteers with collection buckets at the switch-on.
"Please look behind the sofa cushions and bring along any small change or notes that you can find!"
Forres Area Community Trust is also hosting the annual Winter Wonderland event at Forres Town Hall on Saturday, featuring a gingerbread house competition and display.
Contest entry forms are available from the town hall and must be submitted there by 5pm today (Wednesday, November 30). The houses for the contest are welcome between 2pm and 4pm on Friday, December 2 to be judged at 3pm on Saturday.
See https://forresarea.org/2022/11/13/winter-wonderland-2022/ for more information.
