A Christmas festival attracting thousands of visitors will return to Amersham Old Town.
The festival, which will take place on Friday, December 6, from 4pm to 8pm, is expected to draw even more visitors than last year.
Revellers can enjoy live music from The Amersham Band and the Barbershop Choir while shopping for Christmas gifts in the shops and boutiques, which are offering exclusive one-night-only deals.
Cooper’s Market will feature a collection of traders, and food and drink will be available from restaurants, cafes, and pubs.
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The Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 6pm by a surprise celebrity guest.
Father Christmas will be in attendance, along with his real-life reindeer.
A vintage fair with a traditional ferris wheel and swing boats will add to the atmosphere, and roaming stilt walkers will provide further entertainment.
Diana Halley, co-owner of Fabric Boutique, which will stay open late for the festival, said: "This fabulous Christmas Festival not only provides a platform for local artisans and businesses, but it’s also a gathering place for the community to join together to support and celebrate their town during the festive season."
Students from St Mary’s Primary School will participate in a torchlight procession from the church to the Christmas tree, where more carol singing and festive cheer will be shared.
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In previous years, children have had the chance to meet Father Christmas and his reindeer, and this year is expected to be no different, attracting over 5,000 visitors.
The festival's charity partner is Scannappeal, which will run a Golden Tombola and offer hot chocolate in a 'warm space' upstairs in the Market Hall.
The Old Amersham Retailers and Hospitality, along with the Old Amersham Revitalisation Group, organises the festival with help from the Amersham Community Board, Amersham Town Council, The Entertainer, Clark’s of Amersham, and Paige and Petrook.
Scannappeal raises funds to purchase life-saving equipment for Amersham, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Community Hospitals which serve people living in Buckinghamshire and neighbouring parts of Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Oxfordshire.
Their aim is to improve the sate of medical equipment in local hospitals that would otherwise be unable to through the NHS.
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So far the charity has raised £19 million, and helped three million lives, been assisted by 160 volunteers and supported local hospitals for 37 years.
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