Annan gets set for festive party

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Annan will step into Christmas tomorrow (Saturday, November 30) with a feast of free festive entertainment and live music through the day, culminating with a lantern parade and lights switch on.Expectations are high for the Dumfries and Galloway event with the beacon Christmas tree outside the town hall installed in readiness and the Annan Christmas Lights Committee are grateful to Charles Lockhart of Robgill Mains Farm, Kirtlebridge, who stepped up to help when their usual supplier was unable to provide one for this year’s festivities.

The lantern parade will start from the Xtra Special car park at 4.45pm and make its way down to the town hall for the switch on by this year’s Young Citizen of the Year Tierney Garner, who will flick the switch at 5.15pm.

That is after a wealth of local talent on stage in front of the War Memorial, compered by Andrea Keenan. The line-up is: 3.15pm to 3.45pm South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy; 3.45pm to 4.15pm Annan Town Band; 4.15pm to 4.25pm Charley from Highland Hustle with Charley; and 4.25pm to 5pm, music from Caroline Sharkey.

Also, on the High Street from 1pm to 4pm, will be Graham Benson The Magic Juggler, as well as Ranger J from Kingdom Of Creatures creating balloon models for the children.There will be two craft fairs taking place with dozens of stalls at each, from 1pm to 4pm in the Market Hall, Downies Wynd and in The Corner House Hotel.The Courtyard Market will run from 1pm to 4pm with blacksmith Nate Robinson holding a forging workshop for the public to create a piece that could form part of the new sculpture planned for Annan.Santa will be in the St Andrew’s Church rooms from 1pm to 4pm welcoming children to share their Christmas lists and to receive a free