TRADERS in Wellington are planning a variety of Christmas-themed events in the run-up to the festive season, starting with a street fair later this month.

Wellington Independent Traders Association, which counts most of the shop owners in town among its members, is holding the street fair on Saturday, November 19. The event will be held in South Street and include the shops taking part turning on their lights.

Spokeswoman Sally Hooper said: “We are really looking forward to improving the atmosphere with regard to the Christmas festivities this year and we have been working with the Carnival Committee to provide a Christmas-themed Street Fair in South Street.

“Subject to acceptance by Taunton Deane, it is planned to close South Street from 8am to 7pm on November 19, which will kick off a series of events planned within the town over the coming weeks.

“For South Street, there will be a stage outside Teare’s Newsagents and music will be provided throughout the day until the event culminates with our Christmas lights switch-on by all the businesses taking part at 4.30pm.

“Throughout the day, we will have available our very own ‘Elsa’ [from the film ‘Frozen’] who will mingle with the crowds throughout the town centre, and we are hoping to encourage as many Elsa’s, Anna’s, Olaf’s, Kristoff’s and any other of the characters from the famous Disney film to join us around 4pm for a special rendition of ‘Let it Go’.

“We know having our own Elsa in town will prove popular – we would like to urge as many people to turn up as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.

“We are aiming to provide a day of fun for all the family, and as long as the people in Wellington support the event, we fully intend to make this an annual event and build on it year by year.

“There will also be an early appearance from Father Christmas in his Carnival Sleigh, accompanied by our very own Wellington Majorettes, who will provide a Christmas display. “As well as everything going on in South Street, we are also delighted that Wellington Town Band will be performing in Lancer Court at 3pm, followed by carol singers at 3.30pm.

“Odette’s Tea Room will also have an Elsa-themed garden – and provide a base for our very own Elsa for the day. And there will also be a cart outside the shop serving hot chestnuts, mince pies and Christmas pudding and clotted cream, as well as hot chocolate with all the trimmings – this will be available throughout the day.

“Throughout the town most of the shop windows will be decorated in the theme of a carol or Christmas song and there will be a competition to guess which song or carol is in which window with a prize for family tickets to see Wellington Pantomime.

“Music will be provided at H T Perry’s throughout the day. All shops in the town centre will be adorned with Christmas ribbons.”

Final scheduling of the events is currently being compiled – full details of everything going on will be published in next week’s WWN.