The countdown to Christmas officially starts in Ripon this Saturday, 23rd November 2013, with a series of festive events including the switching on of Ripon’s Christmas lights.
This includes the new Christmas lights in the Market Place, purchased with money pledged by the people and businesses of Ripon and supported by Ripon City Council.
There will be children’s rides in the Market Place all day; the build-up will start from 16:00 with music and entertainment from Moorside Junior School, Ripon Stage Academy, Amelia Upstage Academy and the Ripon City Band. Santa will be arriving by horse drawn carriage at 17:45 to switch on the lights, joined by Libby Wilson, aged 9, and Eve and Florence Maylor (aged 9 and 7), the winner and runners up in the “Christmas in Ripon” children’s art competition organised by Ripon Library in partnership with Discover Ripon.
They will be joined on stage by the Mayor or Ripon, Cllr Mick Stanley, before Libby and Santa switch on the lights at 18:00 and the Ripon City Band end the day with festive tunes.
The lights switch-on will be at the end of a festive fuelled family fun day in the City. The Cathedral Christmas gift and food fair will take place between 10:00 and 16:30 with over 100 stalls selling a wide variety of gifts, with refreshments, festive food and entertainment.
Tickets are £2.50 and accompanied under-14s are free.
Meanwhile, the Ripon Workhouse museum will be open between 11:00 and 16:30, whilst both the Police and Prison museum and the Courthouse museum will be open between 13:00 and 16:30. All three museums are offering free entry for the day.
Finally, the new Ripon Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall has been stocked with mince pies and will be throwing open its doors. Open from 10:00 until 18:00, staff will be welcoming visitors into their new modern facilities, and on hand to demonstrate the Centre’s new technology.
City Development Manager, and Chair of Discover Ripon, Alan Weston said:
It’s going to be a fantastic festive day in Ripon, there’s something for everyone, so come along and whilst you’re in the city visit our magnificent shops for those Christmas gifts or visit our wonderful cafes and restaurants. It’s a great opportunity to Discover Ripon this Christmas.
For more and the latest information please visit: www.discoverripon.org/events
