Santa to arrive in Ballyconnell today
Santa Claus has confirmed he will appear in Ballyconnell this Sunday, December 6 arriving in style on the traditional fire engine.
Normally Fr Christmas meets and greets the local children in his beautiful indoor grotto, however, this year his visit - like almost everything else - will be slightly different.
Santa is expected to be joined by his helpers at the front of the Market House, and the guest of honour will of course switch on the lights at about 6pm. Afterwards, a planned drive-through will see his elves hand out gifts to those in the community filing past in cars.
Stewards in the town will direct traffic.
“It’s nice to bring the community together, to have something to look forward to,” says Gail McCoy of Ballyconnell Town Development Committee, estimating 150 joined in the festive revelry last year. “We always get a crowd because there are two local schools and crèches in town and we have notified all of them.”
Gail is joined - needless to say socially distanced and mask wearing - in the Church Street Centre by many of her fellow committee members to the Celt of their plans.
Susan McVitty praises the camaraderie of the Development volunteers in erecting the lights around the town, which is looking well in the run up to Christmas.
“We had 13 out last Tuesday night putting up the Chritsmas lights and had a great evening,” she says, adding, “all voluntary.”
Damien Brady explains that there was a “huge mess of overhead wiring” which have been under-grounded at the corner of Main Street, and has greatly enhanced the streetscape.
“It is a great job, and there is new public lighting, with nice new poles. That ties into where we can put the Christmas lights,” explains Damian Brady. “The businesses are very good to the Town Development every year in supporting the lights and everything we do in the Town Development.”
Cllr Peter McVitty meanwhile anticipates the town sharing in a portion of a county wide grant for Christmas lights in the coming weeks to buy a “couple of new features.”