Have yourself a merry little Christmas in Blairgowrie and Rattray this year!
Date: Monday 24 November
Businesses and local community groups in Blairgowrie and Rattray are working hard to ensure that the town has everything you need to celebrate the festive season in style this year.
The fun starts on Saturday, November 29, with the Farmers’ and Producers’ Market and the Christmas Lights switch-on event in the Wellmeadow.
The Farmers’ and Producers’ Market is open from 9.30am to 1pm and is followed by the Christmas Lights Switch-on festivities from 3pm.
The Christmas Lights Switch-on event will feature stalls and entertainment in the town centre focal point, with the lights in Rattray being switched on at 4pm. There will then be a parade down Rattray High Street led by members of Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band and Santa, who will be in his grotto in the Wellmeadow from around 4.15pm. The town centre lights will be switched on at 5.30pm.
This year, the late-night shopping event in Blairgowrie and Rattray will also take place on Saturday, November 29, to coincide with the Christmas Lights Switch-on event.
Independent shopkeepers in the town will be extending their opening hours until 7pm to give local residents and visitors to the town an opportunity to do their Christmas shopping locally. Popular local eatery The Wee Coffee Shop will also be open late.
To add to the festive feel at the late-night opening evening, winter warming mulled wine will be available, thanks to volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Access network.
There will also be a competition for the best Christmas window display for shops and business in the town, which will be judged by representatives from Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom – winners of the Blairgowrie Advertiser Community Group of the Year Award this year.
A number of other seasonal events are set to take place in the east Perthshire town in the run-up to the big day itself, including a traditional panto from award-winning local amateur dramatic group the Blairgowrie Players from Wednesday, December 10, to Sunday, December 14, in Blairgowrie Town Hall, and a fundraising Christmas Fair organised by Blairgowrie Juniors Football Club, also on December 14, in the Dreadnought.
Climate Connect Perth and Kinross is hosting a free festive drop-in from 2pm to 4pm on December 2 at St Catharine’s Community Centre to celebrate community action for climate and nature in the area.
There will be refreshments and an opportunity to network and connect with remarkable volunteers, groups and organisations working towards improving lives for people and nature.
Blairgowrie Town Hall is set to host two big party nights with The Mad Ferret Band returning for another rambunctious performance on Friday, December 19, and Blair Live’s Christmas Disco Night on Saturday, December 20th.
Community groups in Blairgowrie and Rattray also have you covered if you want to get out and about after the Christmas celebrations.
Blairgowrie Rugby Club holds a popular Boxing Day friendly match every year at JJ Coupar Recreation Park, and there is also the New Year’s Day Fun Run and Walk on January 1, organised by the Blairgowrie Runners, which is open to people of all ages and abilities and is always a great way to start the new year.
Lesley McDonald is operations officer for Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust, which is coordinating the late-night opening and window competition for the shops and businesses in the town through its new Business Focus project group.
She said: “The late-night opening event is always a lovely evening, and this year, following feedback from some of the shops and businesses, it is taking place on the same day as the Christmas Lights Switch-on event to encourage even more people to make the most of the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping locally.
“We have a wonderful selection of independent retailers here in Blairgowrie and Rattray from whom you can purchase gifts for all the family, and we are looking forward to seeing the creative talents of our local businesses on display for this year’s Christmas window competition.
“As well as the shops and businesses in the town, many of our volunteer-led community groups and organisations are doing their bit to make Blairgowrie and Rattray a great place to live, work and visit – and not just at Christmas!
“From markets, Christmas fairs and festive lights to amateur dramatics, sporting highlights and opportunities to get together as a community, Blairgowrie and Rattray is a vibrant town with much to offer residents and visitors – why don’t you come and see for yourselves?”
For more information, see online at www.discoverblairgowrie.co.uk or follow Discover Blairgowrie on
social media.
For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk
