Published: Tuesday, 18th November, 2008 1:00pm

Wintertainment 10th birthday

Comments (0) | Print | Email

TROON Business Association"s hugely popular annual Wintertainment fun day celebrates its tenth birthday this year on Sunday November 23, and it has been renamed WinterTENment to mark the occasion.

As always, the local shops will be open for business, bedecked in bunting and festive finery, to say thanks to their customers for their support throughout the year.

The Parade will feature Troon Gala Queen and Princess, WinterTENment Santa in his big rig limo, mounted police, two pipe Bands, RNLI inshore boat and crew, and much more.

This year"s WinterTENment features popular children"s entertainer Uncle Billy, a kiddies" mini fairground with rides and attractions, beat the goalie competition, face painting, Santa"s grotto and lots of other attractions.

Emergency Services and Army vehicles will also be on display, as well as a full programme of events including pipers, fiddlers, dancers, poetry recitals, judo displays, DJ workshops and performances by local children.

There is even a play this year, while to finish off, there is the Christmas lights switch-on by the Gala Princess and the lighting of Troon Beacon and carol singing at the Grand Finale.

The town centre will be host to thousands of people having fun, taking in the entertainment, eating and drinking, and enjoying their Christmas shopping.

Troon"s special retail environment, with its many unique and privately owned shops offer a special mix of festive fare for Christmas stockings, so vistors will be impressed.

Vice Chairman of Troon Business Association Crawford Young said: 'This year"s WinterTENment promises to be a bumper one. We have earned a reputation as one of the most popular events on the Ayrshire calendar, and the numbers of visitors each year bear this out.

'Troon Business Association members look forward to meeting up with friends old and new, and we invite you to come and join us for a great day out.'

For further information, contact Tommy Lynch, The Pillar Box, telephone 01292 314331.

Full programme of events:

12 noon - Troon Lifeboat Fundraising Branch hosts a Christmas Fayre with a tea-room in Walker Hall, Santa arrives at Titchfield Road and will be taken by the lifeboat crew to Troon Town Hall.

1.15pm - The Parade from Templehill to Troon Cross, featuring the Gala Queen and Princess, Troon BB pipe band, Army Cadets mounted police, Troon school of dance, Lorna Boyce Cheerleaders, Santa in his big red limo, 1st Troon Brownies, 2nd Troon Guides, Karalyn Bell School of Dance, Troon BlackRock Pipe Band, West Coast Limos, Shirley Boyle"s Prairie Pups, West Coast Liners and RNLI inshore boat and crew - there is a £50 prize for the best parade entrant.

12 noon to 4.30pm - At Templehill there will be Fire, Police and Ambulance vehicles on display and demonsrations by the army cadets and Strathclyde police dog handlers unti.

1.30pm to 4pm - Uncle Billy the children"s entertainer at Portland Parish Church Hall.

1.30pm to 4pm - Santa, face painting and Brewster the bear at Global Video Shop

1.30pm to 4pm - Troon Old Parish Church Hall has many events for all ages including the Scottish Bible Society; Dansarena at 1.40pm; Karalyn Bell School of Dance at 2pm; Muirhead Primary School Children at 2.20pm; Struthers Primary School Children at 2.40pm; UNITED - An anti-sectarian play by the Primary 6 children of St Patrick"s and Troon Primary Schools at 3pm; Strings of Scotland at 3.45pm;

1.30pm – 4.30pm - St Meddans Church Hall also has a full programme going on featuring Lorna Boyce"s Cheerleaders at 1.40pm; Troon School of Dance at 2pm; Livewire at 2.20pm; West Coast Liners at 2.40pm; Shirley Boyle"s Prairie Pups at 3pm.

Troon BlackRock Pipe Band at the Church of the Nazarene from 2pm till 2.45pm followed by Dalmellington Band from 3pm to 3.45pm.

Beat the Goalie and kids" mini-fairground at the old Safeway car park from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

Brownies and Guides Christmas Fair in the Scout Hall, St Meddans St at 2pm-4pm.

The Taste and Sounds of Christmas and the Seagate Puppets at Seagate Church from 1.30pm till 4pm.

Troon Library has The Makar Poets - Readings at 2pm, also cosmetics and book sale plus refreshments avaialable from 1pm until 4pm.

Drinks and snacks in the cafe

Troon Youth Centre, from 11am to 4pm has a DJ Workshop, a demo by Cluarankwai Judo Club and the Youth Centre Winter Disco.

In Church Street Ayr Salvation Army Brass Band will be playing from 2pm till 4pm while Troon Round Table will have a burger stall from 1.30pm till 4pm.

It all comes to a sparkling finish when the Gala Queen and Princess switch on the Christmas lights at Troon Cross at 4.30pm, followed by the grand finale when the beacon is lit in Church Street followed by a singalong from 4.45pm and 5pm.

Throughout the day St Andrews Ambulance will provide first aid cover in and around the town centre and there will also be a shuttle bus service in and out of town.