The 2006 Nairn Community Celebrations Project is gearing up to provide another unforgettable evening on Friday 1 December, when the winter lights switch on will see the centre of Nairn transformed into Never Never Land with Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up making a special appearance. And if you believe hard enough in fairies, Tinker Bell may even fly over the High Street.

Building on last year’s phenomenally successful lantern and samba band procession which marked the start of the festive celebrations in Nairn, this year’s procession involves over 200 young people costumed as North American Indians, Pirates, Lost Boys, Tinker Bells, the odd crocodile, Captain Hook and that tic toc clock.

With support from Highland 2007and Leader + and additional support being considered by HIE Inverness and East Highland and Tulloch Construction Group Ltd, Inspire, the new young persons’ group set up after last year’s success and its parent organisation, the Nairn Children’s Art Club have once again employed professional arts practitioners to run community and school workshops in drumming, brass, costume and giant portable effigies.

The Project has also gained the support of the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, who own the copyright and who have kindly given permission for use of the Peter Pan theme.

Jo Turner, chairperson of Inspire explained, ‘The procession will include music from a specially commissioned street band, giant effigies of the crocodile and Big Ben, colourful costumes…. and with a bit of luck and if enough people believe in fairies, Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell!’
 
This is the second year of the project which is aimed at young people in Nairn developing their event management and performance skills in the lead up to 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture.

Not to be outdone, the business community’s involved too, with local shops staying open late and staff dressing in Edwardian costumes hoping to ‘hook’ the prize for the best dressed window in the street, which will be judged by members of Nairn Camera Club who are capturing the whole process and event on camera.

The procession begins just after 6pm with the official winter lights switch on at around 6.30pm before the spectacular climax at Rosebank Square at around 7pm.

So bring the children along and be prepared to hiss and boo, laugh and cheer. And how do you get there on December 1st? Why, “second to the right and straight on till morning” of course!

If you’re interested in playing music, making lanterns or stewarding, contact Shona Arthur on 0789 128 6634