Details of the third Christmas Festival have been announced by the Arklow Christmas Festival Committee.
The aim of the Festival is to increase footfall in the town, create a Christmas atmosphere, showcase the musical and arts talent available and to give the retailers in the town an additional boost during the pre-Christmas period.
For 2017 Arklow Municipal District has purchased and erected new street lighting from Upper Main Street to Lower Main Street. New lighting has also been installed along the Nineteen Arches Bridge which will showcase the longest handmade stone bridge in Ireland.
Festivities will commence at 3.30 pm on Saturday, 25th November, with a Punch and Judy show, followed by the arrival of Santa led by the Arklow Pipe Band. The winner of the Children’s Christmas Art Competition will be chosen and will have the honour of switching on the Christmas Tree Lights. The finale will be a fireworks display.
On Saturday, 9th December, a Park Market will take place along with the annual Santa Dash led by the Inbhear Mor Marchers. A new competition for “Best dressed Festive Pet” has been added to the line-up of events for 2017.
Musical entertainment from local groups will take place throughout both days. Check out the full list of events taking place in the Main Street Park on the Arklow Christmas Festival Facebook page.
The Golden Ticket draw will return this year with prizes in excess of €2,300; entries can be left in over 75 shops and businesses throughout Arklow town. A Programme of Events which will contain a Golden Ticket entry form is currently being delivered to each household in the town.
The Best Christmas Window Display Competition will once again feature as dressing windows for Christmas really helps to create a wonderful atmosphere in the town. This competition is open to all businesses from Templerainey to Knockmore, so whether you are a shop, hotel, hairdressers, restaurant, office or a café, if you decorate your window for Christmas you are in the competition and have an opportunity to win.
This year the winner will receive a superb prize of an Advertising Package sponsored by each of the local papers
- 12×3 complimentary advert in The Wicklow People newspaper.
- Quarter page complimentary advert in The Wicklow Times newspaper.
- Full page complimentary advert in The Wicklow Voice newspaper.
The windows will be independently judged, and the winners announced on Tuesday, 19th December 2017. Arklow Christmas Festival Committee would like to thank all businesses and individuals who have sponsored this festival in any way.
