Oban is all lit up for Christmas but fundraisers are only three quarters of the way to funding it all so still need your help.
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The town’s switch-on event attracted more than 5,000 people this year with one of the brightest ‘stars’ of the light show being a 3D interactive penguin in Station Square who has been a Facebook and Instagram hit.
Council funding for the festive lights was cut off a few years ago so the Oban Festive Lights organisation was founded with help from BID4Oban, representatives from the community council, fire and rescue service, Oban Electrical Services Ltd and interested locals to raise money to put on the seasonal show.
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This year lights were bought and fundraising has gone on throughout the year but the group still has a deficit.
A spokesperson for the Oban Festive Lights group said: ‘It is the responsibility of the town to raise the money needed if we want Oban to shine. So far we have raised 75 per cent of the funds needed so have a way to go but are confident the community will get behind us. We all want penguin to stay.’
BID4Oban chief executive officer Andrew Spence said BID was delighted to have helped in buying this year’s lights as the purchase is costly at more than £25,000 but added: “We agreed to pay for the installation on the understanding the group would pay back purchasing the lights.”
The Oban Festive Lights spokesperson said: “We are delighted our penguin could return this year and he bought a friend – a large Santa – with him who is at Stafford Street.
“The 3D displays were sponsored by Drax Group UK and will be with us until the new year. Lots of other businesses and individuals have donated funds to this year’s festive lights and we thank them all. They include BID4Oban, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Rotary Club of Oban, Wylie & Bisset, S & S Services, The Oban Times, Oban Whisky & Fine Wines Shop, Argyll Community Housing Association, Aggregate Industries (Glensanda Quarry) and many more.”
Funding continues with a quiz and disco Christmas party at Glencruitten Golf Club on Friday December 15 at 7pm.
If you would like to be involved in the group, get in touch on Facebook, email obanfestivelights@outlook.com or check out the website at www.obanfestivelights.co.uk