LANTERNS will be lighting up Leamington again this Christmas.
The fifth annual Leamington Lantern Parade will take place on Sunday December 6 and townspeople are being urged to get creative.
BID Leamington, which organises the parade, is teaming up with the Spa Centre again to launch a competition for youngsters to create a design for a lantern inspired by the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk.
The winning design to celebrate this year’s Spa Centre panto will be brought to life during the workshops by artist Fran Godwin, from the town’s Community Arts Workshop, and will lead the parade when it sets off from the Pump Room Gardens at 4.30pm.
The winner will be presented with a family ticket to the pantomime and five runners-up will each receive a pair of tickets.
The first workshops will be held on Sunday November 1, Sunday November 8, and Sunday November 15, from 10am to 4pm, at the Pump Rooms.
They will be followed by workshops at Dormer Place Conference Room on Saturday November 21 and Saturday November 28, from 10am to 4pm.
All materials will be provided at the lantern making workshops and those taking part are asked to bring along some art clothes to wear. Advance booking is not required and those attending are asked to allow around two hours to make a lantern, with last entry at 2pm.
Lantern making packs are also available at £5 each from the BID Leamington office at 35c Park Court, off Park Street.
BID Leamington would also like to hear from local schools and volunteers, aged over 16, who would like to get involved.
Entry forms for the lantern design competition are available for download from www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre. Entries should be handed in to the box office at Leamington Town Hall by Monday, November 2.
All submitted designs will be displayed in the Spa Centre foyer over Christmas.
Stephanie Kerr, executive director of BID Leamington, said: “This year we will also be collecting donations of new toys to be distributed to local children on Christmas Eve.
“We’re asking people to bring their gifts to one of the weekend lantern making workshops or to the Tree of Lights at Leamington Town Hall at the end of the Lantern Parade.
“The whole idea of the Lantern Parade is to bring the community together to share in the spirit of Christmas and enjoy a magical evening lighting up the town centre.
“Collecting toys for local children is aimed at supporting families in our community who need a little extra help to make their Christmas wishes come true.”
