PONTYPOOL Christmas Cavalcade is being held on Saturday November 23.

Special guests at the annual event this year will be The Penguin Family, combining animatronic costumes, traditional puppetry, strong characterisation and witty banter.

Due to the refurbishment of Pontypool Indoor Market, Santa’s grotto will be located at St James’ Church Hall on Hanbury Road, from 12pm onwards, with free face painting and balloon modelling available from 11.30 am.

The cavalcade procession will take place at 4.30pm, starting outside the Civic Centre.

It will turn left into Commercial Street, then left into Market Street, proceed right into the top of Crane Street, and end at the junction of Crane Street and George Street for the carol service and switching on of the Christmas lights, outside New Look.

The Chairman of Pontypool Community Council, Councillor Giles Davies, will have the honour of turning on the Christmas lights.

Volunteers are needed to help with the parade. Anyone wishing to take part in Santa’s Candlelit Parade should go along to the Salvation Army Hall at Park Road on the day from 3.30pm onwards. Costumes are available. All ages welcome.

There will be a variety of entertainment during the afternoon with The Penguin Family making their first meet and greet appearance at around 1.30pm.

They will also be out in the streets at regular intervals during the afternoon, and taking part in the parade, so there will be plenty of picture opportunities for those with cameras.

Also scheduled to appear during the afternoon will be popular children’s characters Leanne’s Mascots, comedy magician Carl John, St Cadoc’s Millennium Bell Ringers, Welsh folk dancers Cwmni Gwerin, the Alison Lee Academy School of Dance, Dance Stars Academy, Pontypool Brass, Welsh Owl and Wildlife Sanctuary, Camelia Parade Band, Salvation Army Band, West Monmouth School Choir and Torfaen Youth Service.

A spokes woman for Pontypool Community Council said: “Make sure you put the date in your diary and come along for a great afternoon of entertainment for the young and young at heart.”

*A fancy dress competition will also take place on the day.

Prizes will be awarded for the best junior costume creation (eight years and under), best junior costume creation (nine years and over), and best adult costume creation (16 years and over), as well as best group (adults and/or children). Just go along to the Salvation Army Hall, Park Road on the day at 2.45pm, in readiness for the judging.

*In association with the cavalcade, a Christmas colouring competition is taking place for children under 11.

The winner will take their place for a ride alongside Santa during Cavalcade 2014, and also receive a £20 gift token.

All they have to do is colour in the picture inside this year’s programme and post in the entry, with their name, age and address, in the big red box alongside the disco in the town centre on November 23.

Alternatively post it to Mrs Ann James, projects officer, Pontypool Community Council, at 35a Commercial Street, Pontypool, no later than January 24, 2014.