This Saturday, November 25, will see the streets lined in anticipation of Santa in his sleigh, pulled by Reindeer, and the switch-on of the town festive lighting.
The free event is brought to you by BID4Oban, but the Oban Festive Lights Committee have been working hard all year to raise the funds for this year’s big switch on.
Last year around 5,000 people enjoyed the event and this year’s event is on track to being bigger and better than ever.
As everyone is aware, funding for the Christmas lights was stopped a few years ago and last year saw the old council lights repaired and restored thanks to the newly founded Oban Festive Lights organisation, supported by BID4Oban.
New lights along with the introduction of the Christmas penguin in Station Square – a 10ft high colourful and musical interactive display from Blachere illuminations – were a huge hit and saw many people taking pictures and enjoying the festive glow. This year, thanks to a donation from Drax Group plc, owners of Cruachan Power Station, the town will see a new 3D display joining the penguin – a large Santa placed in Stafford Street.
Thanks to donations so far, new lights have been purchased from Blachere Illumination at a cost of more than £25,000. The aim this year was to buy the lights so everyone who visits the town can enjoy them for many years to come, with volunteers within the Oban Festive Lights group, affectionately named the Festive Light Fairies, have worked hard raising funds for new displays.
A representative from the group said: “Christmas lights can have a positive psychological impact so it’s really important the lights are brighter and better than before, boosting community spirit and togetherness. This has been at a huge cost this year and we still have a way to go but we are so lucky to have generous businesses and locals within our community.”
Various fundraising events have been organised, including a Christmas Charity Raffle.
Prizes include dinner, bed & breakfast at Duisdale House Hotel, Skye; dinner, bed & breakfast at the Knipoch Hotel, Oban, or an overnight stay in a suite at Dungallan House, Oban, PLUS MANY MORE PRIZES. Get yours today!
Tickets are only £1 and all money raised will go to the lighting fund. They are available from Hannah’s newsagents, Albany stores, Avalon Hair & Beauty, Birchwood garage and the BID office as well as a stall at Tesco Oban on various Saturdays.