Winter Wonderland festivity details revealed by Highland Council ahead of three days of fun in Inverness
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HIGHLAND Council has announced details of its free Inverness Common Good Fund sponsored Winter Wonderland event.
It will take place at Whin Park on the weekend of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 13, 14 and 15.
The Winter Wonderland is traditionally one of the highlights of the year for young families from all around Inverness. A bumper crowd of toddlers is expected to attend this year’s gathering, which will be attended by Santa, his reindeer and many of his mascot friends.
As usual Whin Park will be transformed on one of the darkest weekends of the year into a spectacular playground for the little ones to enjoy. Inverness based company Limelight Event Services will be installing a brand new, constantly changing, light show which will bring the park’s boating pond and surrounding trees to life.
As well as having the opportunity to enjoy the wide range of playground and fun fair rides that the park will have to offer on the night, the youngsters will also get the chance to be photographed with Santa and his guests during the course of the evening.
Inverness Events Manager, Gerry Reynolds, said: “This event probably generates more wonderful family photographs than any other event in our Winter Festival programme and it is always a pleasure to see the excitement on the faces of the little ones as they discover all the surprises that we have in store for them.
"This event been especially designed for the smaller members of our community and we are delighted that it seems to be growing in popularity each year as families make it part of their Countdown to Christmas."
He added: "We would ask everybody to wrap up as warmly as possible and spread the word that we want everybody to come and be part of what is sure to be a wonderful experience for children of all ages”.
On December 13 the three hour show will start at 6pm and will finish at 9pm. On the Saturday and Sunday (December 14 and 15) Winter Wonderland will be open between 4pm and 7pm. It is recommended that families arrive no later than 45 minutes before the end of each show in order to give themselves time to walk around the boating pond and enjoy the sights.
Drivers are asked to note that temporary traffic restrictions will be in operation between 5pm and 10pm on Friday, December 13, and between 3pm and 8pm on the Saturday and Sunday.
The closures will affect eastbound vehicular traffic and alternative routes for vehicles will be available using Bught Road (Part), Bught Drive, Bught Avenue, Glenurquhart Road, Bishop’s Road, Ness Walk (part), Ballifeary Lane and Ballifeary Road. Vehicular access for westbound traffic will be maintained at all times.
Dog owners are reminded that Whin Park is a designated Dog Free Zone and that once again no pets will be admitted to the site.
