A VILLAGE in the Clay Country is preparing to stage its first Christmas lights switch on event.

The parish council in St Dennis will be hosting the festive fun on Friday, December 6.

A council spokesperson said: “The entire community is invited to come together for what promises to be a magical evening filled with festive cheer, family fun and the warm spirit of the holidays.

“The event will kick off with a lantern parade down Wellington Road at 6pm, featuring handcrafted lanterns made by the talented children of St Dennis Academy. Accompanied by rousing tunes from the St Dennis Band, the parade is sure to create a heartwarming spectacle. For safety, the road will be temporarily closed while the parade makes its way to Trelavour Prazey.

“At Trelavour Prazey, St Dennis will unveil its very first village Christmas tree, beautifully decorated and standing as a beacon of community pride. At 6.30pm, a local resident will have the honour of switching on the tree’s lights, following a speech from the chair of the parish council.

“But the celebrations don’t end there! The green will come alive with the sound of carol singing, led by the band, inviting everyone to join in and embrace the festive spirit.

“To make the evening even more special, Father Christmas himself will be in attendance, offering free visits for the children. Young visitors will also receive a small bag of sweets and reindeer food, spreading even more Christmas joy.

“To keep everyone warm and merry, the parish council has arranged for free mince pies and hot chocolate, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This marks the first time the parish council has organised a Christmas project of this kind and it is hoped to be the start of a cherished new tradition for St Dennis.

“We’re so excited to bring the community together for our first-ever Christmas light switch-on. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season, showcase the creativity of our children and enjoy the magic of Christmas as a village. We hope this will be the first of many festive events to come.”