THE streets of Okehampton will be alive with colour on Edwardian evening — from the sparkling Christmas lights to the decorative period costumes of the traders and dignitaries.
For the first time mayors and council chairmen from many of the surrounding towns and villages have been invited to attend the event on Thursday December 9 which will include a reception at the town hall.
Local food producers who regularly attend the farmers' markets are supplying the mouth-watering delights for the buffet and the visiting council members are being encouraged to join mayor Christine Marsh in dressing to suit the
occasion.
There will be prizes for the best dressed trader and member of the public and to help with authenticity a number of sources for costumes have been found — information on these can be obtained from the Okehampton OK! office.
There will be a change of venue this year for the United Carol Service. By popular request and after consultation with the town council it has been moved to Fore Street, outside St James' Chapel. The singing will be led by the Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band.
In addition, Father Christmas will be in his grotto in DIY Supplies in St James' Street, there will be a barbecue and roasted chestnuts, a barrel organ, barber shop quartet and Okehampton College Gospel Choir.
A Punch and Judy show, stilt walking and unicycling can be seen in the Arcade.
Free parking will be available from mid afternoon onwards in all town car parks and this will also apply to Christmas week. On each occasion it is hoped the shops will stay open till after 9pm.
Cllr Marsh said she hoped this year's Edwardian evening would be one of the best.
'The town council is holding the reception for visiting chairmen to add something extra to the event and show them what the town has to offer,' she said.
'The Christmas lights are brilliant and the town is really something to be proud of — I just hope the weather is kind to us.'