Banff Plainstones Christmas Cracker set to light up town with switch-on event
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BANFF Plainstones Christmas Cracker is once again set to light up the town this festive period.
The group will host its lights switch-on on the Plainstones and Strait Path on Sunday, December 4, with an afternoon-long event.
The day will get under way at around 2pm, with Santa's sleigh set to be dragged by 'reindeer' down Strait Path. While this is ongoing, Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band will be in action.
Santa will then be in his grotto, with children able to pay him a visit and receive a gift free-of-charge thanks to sponsorship from It's Showtime Castle.
Music and entertainment will be provided in the town centre by Starlite Disco, while there will also be a bouncy castle, with visits from the fire brigade and coastguard.
The ever-popular Strait Path ball race will return just after 3pm to raise funds for the light switch-on, with tickets available on the day from the Broken Fiddle Café.
The day's proceedings will end with the main event – the lights going on at 4.30pm.
Banff Plainstones Christmas Cracker chairman Kenny Grant said: "It's the first time we've been able to hold an event due to Covid, so it's a bit trial and error.
"We are hoping for a good turnout from the community. We've had a great amount of support from local businesses in terms of donations.
"We are all getting a buzz about it now."
The tree – which Kenny added is "bigger and better" than in previous years – will again be put up on the Plainstones. Lights will be placed by the arch on Strait Path and on a number of nearby buildings.
In addition to the tree going up in the town centre, Kenny added that an eight-foot Christmas tree has been delivered to Banff Academy, along with lights to hang on it.
Kenny thanked the Castle Bar for raising more than £1000 for the light switch-on with pool competitions, a quiz and a hamper raffle.
He also gave a shout out to CKM Design, which printed banners, and Ewen J Fraser Plant Hire, which provides, free-of-cost, the machinery to allow the Banff Christmas Cracker to decorate the tree.
Other businesses thanked include: DC Auto Valet; Garret Home Furnishings; Candy Box; John Stewart Butchers; Efes Barber; Two Buds Florist; Strachan Pharmacy; Castle Bar; Banff Town and County Club; Tuleni; Mackies Ice Cream; Banff Alterations; Tony Wright; Deveron Pet Shop; Roy Murray, Refresco, Tesco and Morrisons.
