ALONGSIDE the seasonal charm of carol singing with the town band, a hog roast, morris dancing, traditional barrel organ, barbershop singers, chestnut roasting and Santa, unusual visitors will be making a giant impression at the annual Okehampton Edwardian Evening next week. A pair of giants ?provided by HUGE, a professional giant-making company ? that stand more than three metres high, will attend the evening along with their giant dog on a lead. The company travel around Britain and Europe visiting festivals with their towering creations. Michael Dacre of HUGE (Highly Unusual Giant Enterprises) said Britain once had municipal giants for medieval festivals and celebrations but the tradition had not survived ? although a modern copy does walk on St George?s Day in Salisbury, where he is sometimes joined by a scattering of modern processional British giants. Ian Bailey, chairman of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, which organises the Edwardian Evening, said: ?It is nice to have something different for people to see. Once we had the Snow Queen who scattered frost as she walked and that went down well with the young and old alike, and I think the giants will also be popular.? Edwardian Evening takes place next Thursday (December 9) from 6pm to 9pm. Mr Bailey said the late-night shopping event attracted more people each year. ?Many shops offer a little ?cheer? and the whole event sets the mood for a traditional Christmas. I do know that some people come just to admire the lights and soak up the atmosphere.? West Devon Borough Council will provide free parking at its car park in Okehampton from 4pm onwards on Edwardian Evening.
