ONCE again, the Melksham Christmas Lights team is organising a firework spectacular extravaganza on Friday 4th November and this year tickets are limited, so get yours now!
As Christmas preparations begin, the Melksham Christmas Lights team is already busy getting the town ready for the big switch-on which takes place this year on Saturday 3rd December. The fireworks display, held at Forest Community Centre with the help of Light Fantastic and Distant Thunder Fireworks, raises money for the Christmas Lights fund.
Organiser Paul Weymouth said, “Our challenge is to ‘make Melksham a special place at Christmas’ and hopefully we achieve that. Each year we try to change and improve the display by using new technology, ideas and our own skills to stand out from other towns.
“Last year’s musical fireworks display was fantastic; again we are using the same fireworks team – some of the best in the business – to make sure this year is no different. I work on numerous events with them and can’t wait to see our plans come together for Melksham.
“Everyone is welcome, and everyone who attends will be helping make this year’s lights that little bit more special and they can witness that just one month later at the switch-on event on Saturday 3rd of December.
“Melksham is one of very few towns nationally where everyone is a volunteer and everyone seems to love what we do, apart from that traffic warden anyway! Whilst we as a group are ‘amateur’ my company which was born from doing these lights for decades is now recognised as a leader in entertainment lighting and we are able to use technology and systems out of reach for other towns.
“As ever we have huge amounts of work to do, but it’s all worth it when we see the sheer volume of people from all over Wiltshire who turn up to see what a few people in this little town can do.”
Gates for the fireworks display open at 5.00pm, with a colourful bonfire being lit at 7pm. There will be musical fireworks at 7.30pm with children’s rides outside, hot food, drinks and a licensed bar.
Advance tickets are on sale now and available from the town hall and Cobblers Bench or you can order tickets online. Advance ticket offers automatic entry into a £50 cash draw on the night. Tickets this year are limited to 800. Advance tickets: adults £4, children under 16 £3, family of 2 adults and 3 children £15. Gate prices: adult £5, child £4 – family tickets are not available on the gate.
Full details are available online at www.melkshamchristmaslights.com including a map of the site with gate locations. Limited parking for less able people will be available at the centre. Easy access from the town from Riverside Walk (King George V playing fields), Scotland Road and Forest Road via Murray Walk which will be signed and lit near the field. All entrances and walkways will be well lit and drivers are asked to park sensibly in the surrounding areas. Whilst there is hard standing, the field itself may become muddy, along with access routes, so suitable footwear is advisable.
