This weekend's great Keith Christmas celebration: Lights turned on, tractor run, Banffshire flag raised
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KEITH'S festive season will officially start this weekend with the return of United Keith's bumper celebration.
This year's event, on Saturday, December 2 will see the festive lights turned on and Santa's return to the town – alongside the much-loved bauble competitions and hamper draw.
In an exciting moment for the area, the new official flag for Banffshire will be unfurled by Lord Lieutenant Andrew Simpson at 1.45pm at Reidhaven Square.
The flag, designed by a Portessie Primary School pupil, was picked by the public through a contest organised by the Banffshire Herald and sister papers.
Following the ceremony, Santa will be piped down Mid Street at 2pm by the Strathisla Pipe Band
And, at his grotto within Forty Winks, he will then be meeting local boys and girls and hearing all about their holiday wishes – between 11am and 1pm and from 2.15pm to 3.30pm.
United Keith chairwoman Linda Gorn said spaces for kids to meet Santa are limited, and can be booked through the United Keith Facebook page or by calling 07792 190653.
Slots close at 7pm on Thursday, November 30.
The lights will be turned on at 4pm, also marking the start of the tractor run organised by the Keith Show.
Running for the first time this year, an award will be handed out to the best-decorated tractor taking part in the run.
Entertainment from The Country Quines, Elle Shield and Rory Smith will also light up the crowds from 3.35pm.
And, following on from last year’s “very, very successful” bauble competition, this year’s contest has seen more than 100 blank baubles handed out to the community.
The wooden baubles, ready to be decorated, are available at The Deli in Keith and Boogie Woogie in Fife Keith.
To enter, after collecting your bauble and decorating it, make sure your contact details are on the bauble so it can be returned after they are displayed in shop windows.
Tesco is sponsoring the gifts for the winners, and Keith Rotary Club has also taken a sponsorship role in the event.
Mrs Gorn said the help from sponsors “takes the pressure off”.
“This is the first time we've actually had sponsorship, which is making it much easier for us to to deliver it," she said.
“Because, obviously, you then don't have to worry about how much you spend on the kids – because we've never ever charged for Santa."
She said the celebration event will also give shop owners a chance to say: “a thank you to customers for shopping local.”
She added: “It's a great thing to do and it’s the only way we can keep the shops alive.”
