Shropshire Star

Thousands attend Oswestry Christmas events - with pictures and video

Christmas arrived with a bang in one town – with fireworks, a funfair, music and a winter carnival.

Published

There was not one but two festive events in Oswestry at the weekend, both drawing thousands of visitors to the streets and the shops.

Friday night was the annual Oswestry Christmas Music Live event which saw a huge funfair built in the town centre in just a couple of hours, transforming the town into an entertainment centre.

Organised by Oswestry Town Council, the event includes live music on the Bailey Head and a vast craft, charity and food market within Bailey Street and Cross Street.

There was also a mini ice rink on festive square with sessions for local school children followed by public skating.

The night culminated in a spectacular fireworks display in Cae Glas Park.

No sooner was the funfair packed away than Oswestry's Christmas parade got under way on Saturday, organised by the Borderlands Rotary Club with help from the town's other Rotarians.

Watch the Christmas parade here:

One of the members, Jonathan Jones, said more than 30 floats and walking fancy dress groups took part.

"We are indebted to the haulage companies and local farmers who, year after year, allow groups to use their vehicles and to the drivers who give up their time to drive the vehicles," he said.

The colourful floats made their way through the town centre which was lined with spectators throughout the route.

Rotarians walked alongside the parade collecting donations of money which will go to local charities and good causes.

Floats included dozens of elves and Santas, a Candyland entry and nativity scenes, including a real donkey.

Children could also visit Santa's grotto in the market.

Spectators praised all those who took park.

Ken Morris said it had been a very good turn out.

He added: "Everyone who took part deserves a pat on the back.

"It was lovely to see so many youngsters taking part and there was obviously a lot of hard work put in by the adults."

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