The Optimists Club’s Merry Christmas, which won the Prix d’Honneur and the Illuminations Award in this year’s Battle, is being revamped for a winter town parade.
Complete with dancers, music and gifts to give away, the 45-foot float will be paraded in town on the evening of Thursday 8 December.
Five weeks ago work started on stripping and reconstructing the float, with areas being reflowered and an even bigger and more spectacular light show planned.
‘It will be an impressive sight,’ promised Optimists chairman Steve Bouchard.
‘In addition to the original illuminations, fibre optics have been put on and the paintwork has been enhanced.
Because of the time of year, we will only be flowering the snowman centrepiece.
The flowers are being flown in from Columbia especially.’ The Optimists’ junior entry, together with a float carrying Miss Battle of Flowers, Victoria Keen, will also take part in the parade, which is to start at 7.15 and is expected to last about two hours.
It will be free of charge and will take place on one of the late-night shopping evenings.
