Reindeer Parade returns this weekend
LLANELLI’S annual Christmas celebrations are well and truly under way as another much-loved event makes its return this weekend after a year away because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Llanelli Reindeer Parade takes place this Saturday and sees Santa and his parade of reindeer, princesses, superheroes, bands and more joining in the festive fun in an event organised by Ymlaen Llanelli, the town centre’s Business Improvement District (Bid).
The parade begins from outside Ffwrnes Theatre at noon, proceeding along Park Street, Bridge Street, Vaughan Street and Stepney Street, before culminating in Spring Gardens.
Characters in the parade include the likes of Anna and Elsa, Spider-Man, and the Grinch.
There will also be market stalls and a stage in Stepney Square, with live music beginning at 10am until 3pm – with a break for the parade itself – including performances from local choirs and singers.
The event is free to attend, and there will be free parking in all council-run town centre car parks.
Bid chairman Lesley Richards is keen to welcome Christmas back to the town centre.
She said: “We’re thrilled to be holding Llanelli Reindeer Parade again this year – it’s a staple in our programme and we sorely missed it last year.
“The parade brings the community together and really gets everyone into the festive feeling, and the kids love seeing all our characters from past events. It’s the perfect event to finish off the year, and we can’t wait!”
The parade isn’t the only thing on the Bid’s festive calendar this year as they ramp up their Christmas offering.
Ymlaen Llanelli Bid manager Mandy Jenkins explained: “We’ve had great feedback on our town centre trails over the past year, so of course we had to bring one back for Christmas this year. We recently presented the prizes to our two previous town centre trail winners just in time for our new one to start, and people are loving it already.”
The Christmas Gingerbread Trail features 10 gingerbread statues hidden around the town centre.
You can pick up a map from St Elli Shopping Centre and fill in all the rogue gingerbread’s names, and take your completed map to the Works on Stepney Street for a special prize.
The trail finishes on December 31 and one lucky winner will be drawn from all the entries to receive a £250 voucher for the On Your Bike shop.