Dunmail Park Shopping Centre is inviting the local community to a fun-filled festive evening to welcome Father Christmas to his grotto.
On Friday 30th November Santa Claus will lead a parade across the front of Dunmail Park at 4pm, then through the shopping centre to his grotto. He will be joined by a number of friends, including Christmas stilt walkers and tap-dancing turkeys.
The shopping centre is inviting local community groups and clubs to join the parade and those that would like to take part can find out more information by emailing [email protected].
Additionally, a local child will have the chance to become one of Santa’s helpers and officially open the grotto. To apply for this very important role, children up to the age of 11 simply need to create a picture of a decorated Christmas tree. The picture can be drawn, painted, or created from glue, glitter and any arts and crafts materials – the only limit is the child’s imagination.
Father Christmas will choose his favourite picture and the artist will not only join him at the parade, but also win £100 worth of prizes from Toy Town in Dunmail Park. The winner’s school will receive a donation of £100 to spend on art supplies. Further information about how to enter can be found on Dunmail Park’s Facebook page.
CFM will be in the shopping centre throughout the evening event playing Christmas tunes and hosting festive games.
Mr Donald Dixon, Managing Director of J Dixon & Son Ltd, owners of Dunmail Park, commented: “Our Santa’s grotto has been a popular Christmas fixture for over 20 years and we’re once again delighted to be welcoming Father Christmas back to meet local children and listen to their Christmas wishes. It’s a magical time of the year for families and we hope our fun-packed event will help everyone get into the festive spirit.”
Santa’s Grotto at Dunmail Park Shopping Centre will be run by the West Cumberland Lions Club. It will be open between 10.30am and 6pm every Saturday until Christmas and 11am and 4pm each Sunday. It will also be open between 1pm and 6pm on Friday 21st December, and 10.30am and 3.30pm on Christmas Eve. The grotto costs £3 to visit and every child will receive a gift.