GREAT DUNMOW is set for its first-ever official Christmas lights event organised by the town’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce in conjunction with the Town Council and the Dunmow Round Table.

And the Dunmow Broadcast is giving one lucky reader the chance to press the button that will illuminate the 20-foot Christmas tree in the new town square and also kick off a multitude of festivities at the special event on December 3.

Singing, dancing, live music and a torchlight parade will all take place on the Friday evening and families are invited to take part and start the festive season with a bang.

The project is the idea of several Dunmow Chamber of Trade and Commerce members including Jacky Rom from the Arts Centre and chamber treasurer Kevin Smith.

Mrs Rom said: “We will need the help of everybody to make this event the success we are sure it can be. It will be a huge community effort.”

Chamber chairman Mike Perry is looking forward to welcoming the whole community into the town centre and is hoping for a timely boost for traders as well.

“We are looking for this event to really give Dunmow a kick-start at Christmas time,” he said. “It is a chance to show everybody what a community-minded town we live in.

“A lot of effort has gone in by many organisations, including the chamber, the town council and the round table and now we are really looking forward to seeing everybody there.

“The High Street will be open for business all evening just like the Christmas late night shopping event of old – only this time we will be having a huge Christmas tree in the town square and a stunning torchlight parade.”

The event kicks off at 5.30pm with the Motown Girls in the town square followed by a Peter pan play, school choirs, the Dunmow Players and a grand raffle.

The lights will be turned on at 6.50pm. Ten minutes later there will be a torchlight parade through the town to market square where carols will be sung.

Box

The big question – What sort of parade will go through the town centre?

A) A fire parade

B) A torchlight parade

C) A watertight parade

Answers must be sent in before noon on Monday 22 November

Please write your name, address, phone number, and answer on a postcard or letter and send to 54 High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1EE.

A winner will be picked at random and asked to switch on the lights with the mayor of Dunmow.