Festive interactive trail kicks off Christmas in Bury St Edmunds
Countdown to Christmas gets underway in Bury St Edmunds.
Christmas is kicking off in Bury St Edmunds today with a new interactive light trail, as well as the traditional festive lights switch on.
The Twelve Days of Christmas Trail is new for this year and is being run in partnership with HSBC.
Participants will need their phones to scan QR codes or send a text to participate. The entry is free, and the trail doesn’t require downloading an app or signing up.
There are 12 locations around the town, which will require answering different questions digitally. All correct entries will go into a draw where a total of ÂŁ500 Our Bury St Edmunds BID gift cards can be won.
The interactive trail starts in the Arc Shopping Centre near the Santa experience. There will be a Christmas-related clue in each location, and residents need to answer all the questions to be eligible for the prices.
It's hoped the trail will bring some festive spirit into the community while staying Covid safe.
As well as the trail there's also five new large standalone 3D decorations to brighten up the town.
Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Mark Cordell said: “I certainly hope the event will bring festive spirit to the residents. We are a traditional market town. We’ve got a shopping centre that had large, colourful Christmas decorations in the last two or three years. We received feedback from the public if something similar can be organised in town.
"That’s why we bought out five new decorations this year to cheer people up and make it more colourful. We believe the event this Thursday kicks out Christmas in Bury St Edmunds.”
The company behind the trail is Hello Lamp Post, which is working with Our Bury St Edmunds for the first time.
Mr Cordell said: “They are an organisation that is used predominantly when it comes to public surveys. Residents would attend a location in town. They would be asked a question and text messages back.
"Opinions will be collated that way. That’s how we first had a conversation with them, and they have been great to work with. Another way of participating in the trail would be downloading the LoyalFree app for free on your phone.”
This year there won’t be a stage, and the Christmas lights will already be on as the event opens to ensure the town centre activities are Covid safe.
Other attractions will include fairground rides, Victorian Carol’s singers and hot food stalls.
There will be over 25 charity stalls, as well as a Salvation Army band playing Christmas music.
Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights event will run from 3 pm to 8 pm.