Halloween has come and gone – and that has sparked the first jingles of Christmas bells as Moray prepares earlier than every for the festivities.
Stores have been gearing up for weeks with many having their Christmas displays in place already – now people in Buckie are being invited to take an opportunity to support local business and prepare early for the celebrations.
The Buckie Business and Retail Association is urging people from throughout Moray not to miss their ‘Buckie Christmas Kracker’ later this month.
Billed as the biggest Christmas Carnival of the season, the town is gearing up to attract not only local shoppers but those from throughout Moray, Aberdeenshire and beyond.
The Carnival weekend this year marks the fourth time it has been held in conjunction with switching on of the Christmas lights in the town – and promises to be the biggest yet.
One of the organisers, Charles Milne, explained: “The Buckie Christmas Kracker (BCK) will start at 9.00am on November 22 with Breakfast with Santa at Le Café Coull.
“The main attraction is always Santa and his reindeer, Santa’s Grotto will be open from 10.15am until12.45pm and 1.45pm to 4.30pm in the Winter Wonderland tent at the square.
“Santa will be taking part in the Grande Parade with his reindeer and elves at 1.00pm, joining him will be all kinds of superheroes, bands, floats, dancers and more!
“This year the Santa will be joined by another familiar face in Andy Whyment, better know as “Kirk” from the ITV soap series Coronation Street. Kirk will be taking part in the parade, judging the fancy dress competition and switching on the Christmas lights.”
The town’s Cluny Square will be the centre of much of the action as it is set up as a ‘Winter Wonderland’ with the 7-metre high Christmas Tree surrounded by 20,000 lights – making it Moray’s biggest Christmas light spectacular.
Mr Milne added: “The Buckie Christmas Kracker is a great way to bring the community together and keep the spirit of Christmas buzzing in the town.
“It brings new memories for all the young and reignites the memories of those who remember the Christmas Carnival’s from years ago.
“We, as a committee, really aim to make this a real memorable day out for all ages and each year we try to come up with new fresh ideas.
“Without all the fundraising on the day of the Kracker, the next Kracker and Light Switch On wouldn’t be possible and we appreciate all the communities support leading up to the day and on the day.”