Santa’s Little Helpers have been hard at work at a lantern making workshop.
The creative event was held at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in preparation for a spectacular climax to the Wrexham Year of Culture.
Father Christmas himself will be joining a special parade through the town on Thursday, December 1 which will get underway from Eagles Meadow.
As part of the event children are invited to take part in a Frosty Lantern Parade by making and carrying their very own lanterns.
Community arts organisation Arts Connection has been working alongside Wrexham County Borough Council in running lantern-making workshops at school and community groups ahead of Thursday’s parade.
Sian Walters, of Arts Connection, said: “We have been running workshops at schools right across the county borough.
“We have also worked with home education and toddler groups as well as community groups such as Cai Park.
“It’s been fantastic and very rewarding. We are going to have more than 300 children taking part in Thursday’s parade all carrying their own lanterns.
“It should be spectacular and will, I am sure, be the highlight of the whole Father Christmas Comes to Town event.”
“It has been good fun here at Eagles Meadow and we have had a steady stream of youngsters coming in and making their lanterns in readiness for Thursday’s parade.
“We are delighted the management here at Eagles Meadow supported us and allowed us to run the workshop which has proved a big hit with both children and parents.”
One of the youngsters taking part in the workshop was Trystan Kearsley, 10, of Ruabon, who dropped in with his mum, Gill.
The Ysgol-y-Llan pupil said: “I made a penguin shaped lantern at school but wanted to make another lantern as a present for my cousin Lucy, who is five, so she can take part in the parade too.
“I really like arts and crafts work and have really enjoyed making the lanterns. I am really looking forward to the parade on Thursday.”
Nicole Stokes, 19, of Borras, attended the workshop to make a lantern with her carer, Julie Jones of Hawarden-based Care Co.
Julie said: “Nicole has enjoyed helping to make a lantern and hopefully she will be able to take part in the parade on Thursday.”
Connor Keenan, seven, of Ruabon stopped off at the workshop along with his mum Rebecca.
Rebecca said: “It’s nice to see events like the lantern making workshop being run at Eagles Meadow and the Father Christmas lantern parade will be brilliant.
“We will be coming down to eagles meadow for the start of the parade and we are all looking forward to it.”
Arts Connection volunteer, Sarah Morton, added: “I have enjoyed working at Eagles Meadow and helping children design and make their own lanterns.
“Thursday’s parade will be spectacular with so many lanterns shining bright. I would encourage everyone to get down to Eagles Meadow for the start of the parade.”
The Father Christmas Comes to Town event begins at Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre on Thursday, December 1 at 6pm.
Children can bring a lantern and join in the parade by logging onto www.yearofculture.co.uk
