It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) are continuing their festivities with the #YuleLoveCov Family Fun weekend on 14th and 15th December.
The highlight of the weekend is a festive lantern competition in which 150 children from local primary schools: Sydney Stringer, Eastern Green, Bablake, SEVA, Keresley Grange, Parkgate, Park Hill, have designed colourful lanterns with Vicky from The Creation Station Coventry, which will be which will be paraded and displayed in Broadgate.
On Saturday 14th December, the lanterns will be the star of the show as they are paraded through Broadgate. Whittling down the numbers, the top 50 will proceed through to Sunday’s final where five lucky winners will be chosen by the panel of judges.
Judges have been confirmed to include Cllr Patricia Hetherton, a representative from Cash for Kids; a representative from IKEA and Emilie Dentz from Millie’s Kitchen, representing the local traders on Market Way. The judges will have the tough decision of deciding the winners from the participants and each winner will receive an IKEA goody box.
It’s set to be a fun-filled weekend with musical entertainment between parades and the Coventry Christmas Market providing refreshments for spectators. Cash for Kids will be collecting gifts for charity and requesting presents for less fortunate children – after all, it is the season for giving.
Tom Reeves, Charity Fundraising Executive, Free Radio said: “In the three years that ‘Mission Christmas’ has been running, we’ve seen a big increase in people helping to provide gifts for disadvantaged local children. To see the difference to families and the staff who work with them is so rewarding – being able to help improve their lives at such a magical time, is the real meaning of Christmas. Please help if you can.”
The weekend is sponsored by IKEA, who kindly supplied the 150 lanterns and the prizes for the overall winners of the competition.
Patricio Aleman, Store Manager at IKEA Coventry, said: “At IKEA we’re always looking for ways to make a positive difference and support our local community, which is why we’re delighted to have sponsored Coventry’s Family Fun Weekend which will bring the city together. This is a great initiative by Coventry Business Improvement District and we look forward to taking part in the judging panel for the festive lantern competition on the 14th and 15th!”
All lanterns designs will be displayed in West Orchards Shopping Centre through the festive period.
Andy Talbot, Shopping Centre Manager at West Orchards: “West Orchards are thrilled to be able to show off the lanterns up to Christmas. They will be displayed on level 3 of the centre.”