COMMUNITY spirit shone bright for Newquay’s lantern parade on Friday night.
Hundreds of schoolchildren and their families paraded their lanterns from Trenance Gardens to Trenance Cottages.
Various schools and organisations took part in the event, organised by Blystra Arts, to get the town’s festive season underway, which included Newquay Orchard, Nansledan School, Trenance Learning Academy and Bishops CofE School and Newquay Tretherras.
The parade was followed by the Trenance Trees and Tales Light Switch on, which alongside the Christmas tree, saw the gardens lit up as well as the façade of the cottage itself.
Local performers and choir singers delivered Christmas carols and live music, filling the gardens with merry cheer. There were stories regaled by local storytellers, Rob Copeland and Kate Stebbing-Allen. Keeping eventgoers warm and merry, Lakeside Café, the Garden Cafe and Trenance Cottages served up cosy drinks and warming food throughout the evening.
It was the first time that Trenance hosted the town’s popular lantern parade tradition in partnership with Blystra Arts.
A spokesperson for Blystra Arts said: “We had a fantastic turnout for the first Trenance Valley lantern parade.
“The atmosphere was electric, the people came in their droves and the lanterns looked beautiful amongst the trees of Trenance Gardens and alongside the boating lake.
“Working alongside Trenance Cottages, Newquay BID, Be Newquay Festival and The Garden Café to make this event happen has been amazing.
“And special thanks to the Newquay Lions Club for their marshalling of so many people.
“It was a truly amazing night.”
Chairman of Trenance Cottages, Jill Willmott said: “Wow, what a night.
“Thank you to everyone that came out to support the Trenance Trees and Tales: Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights Switch On, including all the wonderful children and their families with their amazing lanterns and all the performers and groups that made the event possible.
“We’ve often dreamt of having such an event at the cottages, so to see it happen was mind blowing.
“The atmosphere was magical. Thank you Newquay, you’ve smashed it again. The lights will stay on every night right up until Christmas so do come down to experience them. Additionally, the candle lit museum, shop and cafe are open every Thursday night from 6pm to 8pm until Christmas.”
The Christmassy event took place on the fourth weekend of the festival alongside other engaging workshops such as the second of resident artist Andy Pearce’s Sip and Sketch workshops at The Headland Hotel. Holistic and innovative techniques to release tension and restore balance were discovered via A State of Mind Studio’s Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) and Sound Bath on Saturday.
The forthcoming final Be Newquay Festival weekend will play host to ALMA Winter Arts Weekend.
A curated programme starting with a festive organ recital and mulled wine at St Michael’s Church on Friday November 29 at 5pm.
Other activity across the ALMA Winter Arts Weekender includes family-friendly activity on Saturday including storytelling sessions, creative drawing and clay workshops. Saturday ends with live music from The New Eves and Daisy Rickman, £15 per person and booking essential.
Sunday is Stone Club Day and celebrates the Newquay Monoliths. Plus arts installations will be on display at key locations around the town amongst much more.
A spokesperson said: “If you're heading into town, be sure to stop by the Killacourt for the Christmas market and craft activities. It’s a closing weekend double whammy.”