Three familiar features of Christmas in Brigg town centre WILL continue in 2020, it has been confirmed. However, several others have now been cancelled as a result of the continuing Coronavirus emergency.
Still coming to town will be the showpiece Christmas tree in the Market Place near the former NatWest Bank. We gather the tall fir has already been ordered from Scawby Estates, as well as the wooden fencing to surround its trunk. The tree will also be decked with additional lights this year - a welcome addition in these dark times.
Also ON are the annual decorated Christmas shop windows competition and the accompanying Elf Trail.
CANCELLED are the traders' scheme to display Yuletide trees on the front of business premises and the Festival of Light/Tree of Light.
Brigg District Lions pulled the plug on its Friday night festive fair with indoor and outdoor stalls some months ago, while Brigg Town Council has ruled out the usual Christmas lights switch on ceremony conducted from a temporary stage in the Market Place which, in normal times, entertains hundreds of people of all ages gathered in the Market Place as the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown takes place.
Brigg Town Business Partnership has been made aware of the ceremony and festive fair being cancelled, as many shops usually stay open late on the night of the ceremony to meet the Christmas shopping requirements of the 1,500+ crowd.
Festive illuminations WILL be provided as normal, from East Park through the town centre to Bridge Street, but rather than people massing in the Market Place to see them come on, web users will be able to watch the lights come on via 'live streaming' on Friday, November 27. Details of where to find this online, and the time of the 'virtual' ceremony, will be announced nearer the time.
The best decorated Christmas windows competition 2020 will also have an online flavour. Businesses will submit pictures of their displays to be posted on a Facebook page by the Business Partnership. The most 'likes' will then be considered in the judging.
Between November 28 and December 6, people living in North Lincolnshire, businesses and communities are being asked to share their Christmas light pictures and videos on social media using the hashtag #northlincsxmaslights by North Lincolnshire Council.