A Perthshire town will still have a sparkling festive season despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers confirmed that Crieff will have its Christmas lights display.
However, there will not be the traditional festive fanfare or visit from Santa ahead of the official switch-on, which usually brings hundreds to the town’s James Square.
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The afternoon-long event is traditionally a real crowd-pleaser with acts such as Clanadonia adding to the party atmosphere.
This year the lights will go on without a community countdown.
Instead, Crieff at Christmas – the group behind the town’s colourful displays – is hoping locals will get behind a competition to design a Christmas card in a bid to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer.
And, as well as receiving a gift voucher, the winner of the children’s category will have the honour of flicking the switch for the fairy lights on the James Square Christmas tree.
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John Gauld, chair of Crieff at Christmas, said: “Due to the restrictions in relation to public gatherings, Crieff ’s 2020 Christmas Lights switch-on will reflect this change.
“This year the lights will go on in the form of an unattended switch-on on Saturday, November 14
“Sadly, there won’t be the usual entertainers or live music and, unfortunately, we can’t welcome people to the switch-on.
“However, we shall endeavour to install as many lights as possible continuing to make Crieff a brighter place to work, rest and play.
“We will be asking the children of Strathearn to design an exclusive Crieff at Christmas Christmas card, with the winning design receiving a £20 Crieff Gift Card and the opportunity to switch-on Crieff’s Christmas tree lights at James Square.
“We welcome adult entries too, with the winner of the adult competition receiving a £20 Crieff Gift Card.”
The festive displays rely on donations to keep them maintained and the winning designs will be made into Christmas cards, which will be on sale locally to raise money for the lights.
Designs will be shared on Crieff at Christmas’s social media platforms until Thursday, October 29, when they will be put to the scrutiny of three independent judges, with the winners being announced on Thursday, November 5.
John added: “We’re very grateful to Karen at Fun Junction toy shop in Crieff for the kind donation of the Crieff Gift Card prizes for the winning Christmas card designers; our Christmas tree sponsors, RTS Forestry, and Count Accountants and MAM Contracting for their professional services. Thank you all.”
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Entries can be submitted to the Crieff at Christmas Facebook and Twitter pages, or by sending an email to criefflight@outlook.com
Anyone entering is asked to retain their original designs as winning entries will be scanned at high resolution for the cards.
