A spectacular festive family event is set to soften the blow of Irvine's cancelled Christmas lights switch-on.
The town's Bridgegate will host 'Community Yuletide' on Sunday, December 11, a special event featuring a Christmas Market - as reported by Ayrshire Live yesterday - as well as a Santa's Grotto, a wide range of kids activities, movie screenings and live music.
Organised by North Ayrshire Council and supported by the Marymass Committee and Irvine Youth Forum, the extravaganza is being billed as a 'brilliant celebration for young people and families' in the build up to December 25.
The local authority say plans for the event came to fruition over a frantic few weeks of preparation.
Council leader Marie Burns said: "There was obviously disappointment when a community group were not able to organise a Christmas lights switch-on celebration. It is a huge undertaking so it is understandable.
“So we are delighted to be able to bring the Community Yuletide event and a huge thanks to the Marymass committee and the Irvine Youth Forum in their support in bringing this together.
“It will be a celebration of all things Christmas, bringing together the community in a fun, relaxing and enjoyable way.
"We will have things for all the family from Bookbug sessions for under 5s, Santa’s Grotto for children and the Mobile youth Centre for any young people. “
Activities will run for five hours from 11am to 4pm and will feature: Free hot chocolate; Food vendors; High street stores open; Mobile Youth Centre; Activator bus; Children’s Bookbug sessions; KA Leisure – soft archery; Art & Crafts sessions.
There will also be range of musicians - including the Ayrshire Rock Choir from 3.15pm - that will bring a touch of Christmas cheer throughout the day.
From 4pm, there will be a family movie screening – with the film to be decided by an online poll. Residents can vote for their favourite Christmas flick on the council’s Facebook page.
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