Deadline looms for Christmas float entry fun

Community groups are being urged to get their entries in for this year's Christmas Parade float competition before it's too late.

Anyone interested has until Monday 5 October to fill in their forms and possibly participate in the festive fun.

The Christmas Parade and annual switch-on of the lights is taking place on November 15.

Over 20,000 people are expected to line the streets of Swansea to welcome Santa on the day and a variety of entertainment is being arranged to cater for all the family.

Swansea Council is behind the fun.

Event partners The Wave and Swansea Sound are making a £1,000 prize available to the best-dressed community float and a £250 prize is up for grabs for the best walking procession.

The Port Tenant Colts scooped the best-dressed float award last year and Bikeability won the best walking procession title.

Six community floats and four walking processions will be picked from the applicants this year.

Swansea Council is encouraging community groups to come forward by providing each successful applicant with:

• A tractor and a driver.
• An eight-metre by two and a half metre trailer.
• A safety scaffolding rail around the trailer.
• A small diesel generator.
• Festoon lighting.

Nigel Jones, Swansea Council's Strategic Events Manager, said: "We have run this competition for the last few years and it has proved very popular with local community groups.

"It's great fun for the children involved because they get the chance to design the floats ready for the big day and then parade through the city in front of thousands of people."

Full details on how to enter are available by looking at www.swanseachristmas.com or calling 01792 635410.

The Christmas Parade is kindly being supported by Admiral, The Wave and Swansea Sound.