‘Tis the Season

The weeks before Christmas in Hay are made all the more special by the Winter Weekend (23rd - 26th November) and the official launch of festivities on Friday 24th November.

The market square is filled with seasonal stalls, the primary school and community choirs perform, the steam engine rolls into town and the snow machine kicks in on a dry, crisp evening. Then, excitement mounts before a Hay Festival celebrity guest switches on the Christmas lights!

And this is where we can all help to make it a memorable weekend. Without donations, the Christmas lights would not happen. This evening of jollity, and the run-up to Christmas itself, require a great deal of preparation, and once again Hay Chamber of Commerce, Hay Markets and Hay Town Council are working together to ensure that Hay is suitably festive for residents and visitors alike. It’s an important time for local businesses, and many outsiders make a special trip to do their Christmas shopping in our independent stores and stock up on books for the season.

Replacing lights, paying the contractor to erect, maintain and take down the display, as well as putting on the great Switch On event, costs over £10,000. Though the event is generously supported by Hay Town Council and several other local organisations, we still need to raise £6,000.

This is only possible through contributions from businesses and individuals. Yes - we can all contribute!

To donate, just visit www.gofundme.com/f/haychristmaslights2023

Article supplied by Hay Chamber of Commerce