Join Rugby First and St Andrew’s Church, at Rugby’s Festive celebration and lantern parade, on Saturday 3 December. The FREE, fun, family event will take place between 12 noon and 6pm in St Andrew’s Church gardens. On the day visitors will be able to enjoy some traditional festive fun that includes lantern making, music, food, stalls, family entertainment, as well as a chance to meet a very special guest! At the end of the day join the lantern parade through the town centre, led by a lively and colourful samba band! Materials for the lantern making are FREE and you don’t need a lantern to join the parade!
Jo Kemp, Rugby First Operations Director, said: “The parade is a perfect opportunity to bring together Rugby’s communities, share the magic of Christmas, remember those we have lost, as well as shine a positive light on our town centre and encourage people to shop local and support their town centre!”
Jo continued: “Over the past month in preparation for the parade we have organised a number of lantern making workshops for groups, in conjunction with local Community Arts Group Hats Off, and these have been very successful and generated a lot of interest. The lanterns themselves are hand-held and made from environmentally friendly materials.”
Artists from Hats Off! Community arts company are behind the scenes creating large willow sculptures to take part in a lantern parade. Shiam, one of the artists said: “We are excited to be taking part in this Christmas parade and it’s fantastic to create a spectacle for Christmas that is beautiful and environmentally friendly. Hats off! create artwork by using reclaimed or environmentally friendly materials. All of the artists will be working with local community groups to make willow and paper lanterns to hold in the parade on the 3rd of December.”
Ben Jennings, Community Engagement Lead, for St Andrew’s Church, said: “If you can’t wait until the 3rd December to make your lantern why not join us at a public workshop on Sunday 20 November, between 10am and 4pm, in St Andrew’s Gardens, as part of the Rugby Christmas Light Switch-On! Alternatively visit the website below to obtain a FREE lantern making kit (limited availability) and view our online video showing you how to make a lantern – you could of course just make your own!”
While you are in town take the opportunity to pick up your Christmas gifts. There’s a fantastic choice of national and independent stores offering a wide variety of interesting and unique gifts for friends and family.
For further information on the event, to obtain a FREE lantern kit or view the online video visit https://bit.ly/3X3IxZp. or follow us on our social media platforms.
Press and media enquiries:
Contact Chris Stanley, Unlimited Communications, on 07538 917079 chris@ucltd.co.uk
If you are interested in attending one of the lantern making workshops in advance of the procession let me know and I can coordinate this for you.
Rugby First
The most recognisable and friendly face of Rugby First is the town rangers in their red uniform, but we are also the driving force behind Rugby Bikefest, Christmas Light Switch on and other town centre events as well as operating the town’s CCTV.
Working closely with Rugby Town Centre businesses, we keep them informed and updated, fight business crime, and ensure the town centre is clean, safe, friendly, and welcoming for all. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/3X3IxZp You can also follow us on our social media channels.