FESTIVE spirit is set to reach a new high in Coulsdon this weekend as the town stages its second annual Yulefest Christmas festival.
This year, for the first time, organisers have arranged for an ice rink to feature in Brighton Road, where the festival is due to take place this weekend.
Organiser Chris Thairs said he hopes the open air rink would help establish the festival for years to come. "It's going to make a huge difference for us.
"The idea is that by doing the ice rink we've taken ourselves from being a Christmas market with a bit of entertainment to a full-on Christmas festival."
As well as the rink, the two-day festival will feature a stage with live entertainment, stalls, Santa's grotto, a fun fair and the town's big lights switch-on.
Chris said choirs from Coulsdon Church of England, St Aidan's and Smitham schools are all set to perform and one of the UK's top Elvis impersonators Mark Goddard will bring the Wonder of Yule to the event.
"The idea is to try to have music and entertainment for all, different genres so everybody is covered," said Chris.
Cast members from Theatre Workshop Coulsdon's production of The Producers will also be making an appearance.
Stalls from 27 different businesses will be set up in the town centre, with a wide range of traders, selling festive fare from treats to trees.
Chris said he wanted to establish the festival at the heart of the community with a new 'community commitment' award.
The annual award will be presented for the first time on Saturday, though Chris refused to reveal who the mystery winner would be.
"We're going to give one out to whoever the community feel have given a lot to Coulsdon.
"We've picked a worthy winner this year, but in the future we want people to vote for the award."
Coulsdon's Christmas lights will be switched on this Saturday, December 6, at 5.30pm. The festival continues until Sunday, December 7. For more information click here.
