Local Paralympian medalist, Abby Kane, will be making a celebratory open top bus ride through town as part of the Largs Yuletide evening parade, which will be taking place on Thursday 1 December, an evening of celebrations, festive fireworks and fun for all the family.

Once again, Explore Largs, also known as the Largs BID, Duncan Conner, Proprietor of the Bus Stop Toy Shop and Largs People community group have been working together to make Yuletide night brighter and better than ever before.

Duncan Conner, the man behind much of Largs festive initiative, said: “We are delighted our Abby’s success will be recognised in true Olympic fashion on an open top bus parade as well as officially opening our Santa’s Grotto.”

He continued: “The ever-growing annual parade, which features many of the towns businesses and youth groups, leaves the Kwik Fit carpark at 6.30pm, bringing Santa to Largs in style before he disembarks at his magical Grotto at Helter Skelter, in Gallowgate Street.”

John Hamilton, BID Manager, said: “Helter Skelter is an ideal location for this one night Grotto event, which runs from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. It has wheel chair access and also gives us space to organise an indoor waiting area for families.”

He continued: “Explore Largs has also arranged to have the venue professionally themed for the evening.”

Largs People Community Group will once again be providing a spectacularly decorated Christmas tree in Tron Place, and Largs BID, together North Ayrshire Council, has co-funded the festive street lighting to make it a bigger brighter Christmas for the town.

There will be a whole host of Christmas activities on the night with performances from St Mary’s, Kelburn and Brisbane Primary Schools, The Largs Gymnastic Display Team and The Karen Aitchinson Dance School on a specially erected stage in Tron Place.

A treasure hunt competition, hidden in shops throughout the town, has a snowman theme, with vouchers to be won to spend in participating shops.

Largs Community Choir will be staging a Christmas Concert in the Brisbane Evangelical Church at 7.30pm.

And yes, fireworks too! Back by overwhelming popular demand, the fireworks display, set on the Cal Mac Pier, will commence at 8.20pm, followed by the band Halo and Calum performing on the Tron Place stage to encourage people back to the town centre.

To complete the Christmas fun, there will be fairground rides, The Evangelical Choir, the Salvation Army Band, Charity stalls and lots of free entertainment at businesses throughout the town.

Café Bon Bon will have face painting and a magician, Waterside is planning live music, The Bean and Leaf will present Christmas Stories and Poetry, Lounge and Room will both be staging family themed entertainment with kids eating free and après-ski style terraces complete with cosy heating, brollies and blankets!

BID Manager, John Hamilton added: “This is such an important night for businesses in Largs; their special evening to showcase their stock and encourage people to shop local for all their Christmas purchases.”

“Why spend money travelling to Glasgow and wait hours in traffic visiting one of the many out of town shopping areas, when we have it all here!

“What’s more, we can indulge in a well-earned cuppa or drink and a bite to eat at our very own favourite seaside town; better than car parking queues, Christmas traffic and crowds of people packed like sardines! Let’s celebrate Largs this year and Shop Local, it couldn’t be better!”

In the true spirit of Christmas, Largs Yuletide is delighted to welcome the Largs Food Bank who will be collecting donations of non perishable food. They will be located between Costa and the Co-op, giving everyone the chance to make a real difference this Christmas.

The Scottish Legion, Largs Branch, will also be making street collections on the night.

And finally, if anyone wants join the yuletide parade, please report to the Kwik Fit forecourt at 6.15pm prompt. All two and four footed tinseltastic, light fantastic Christmas bundles of fun are welcome!