DELIGHTED children will once again converge on the Wharf to welcome Father Christmas when he arrives by canal barge to inaugurate the town's Millennium Medieval Christmas Fair.
It is all part of the celebrations which accompany the official switching on of the town's Christmas lights on Friday December 1. The event is sponsored by Devizes Town Council, the chamber of commerce, Kennet District Council and Devizes Lions Club.
The Lions will set up a barbecue from 5pm and Santa will arrive at the Wharf at 5.45pm. He will greet children and hand out presents before moving down to the Market Place aboard a vintage car at 6.15pm.
He will switch on the lights at 6.30pm after which the people of the town are free to wander round the stalls, enjoy the street entertainment provided by Ticklish Allsorts and take advantage of late opening to do some Christmas shopping.
Jennings Fair will have some of its rides set up and charity and craft stalls will offer a wide selection of wares in The Shambles.
At 8pm the action moves to the Green for a spectacular firework display.
This year the town could see a brighter display of festive lights.
Deputy town clerk, Theresa Coles said: "We have spent a lot of money to make the town's Christmas lights very special for the new Millennium.
"There are more bulbs on the Christmas tree and we have nearly doubled the number of lamppost lights."
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