This year’s The Spirit of Christmas fair at RiversMeet Leisure Centre has something for everyone!

Thanks to the Lion’s Club, children can meet Santa Claus in his grotto (cost £1) and make fabulous Christmas crafts in a special area (free).

In the pool, on Saturday there will be a glitter-tastic Mermaids & Mermen session (11am, £9)  and Boogie Boards (noon, £9) with Fins & Snorkelling (noon, £9) on the Sunday. On both days at 11am, there’s the ever popular Inflatable Mania (£4 for children; £4.60 adults)

Special guests will be miniature Shetland Ponies Lottie & Orca, woolly pigs Betty and Wilbur and Blossom the chicken –  some of the animals from Somerset Petting Zoo who will be available to be stroked and petted on Sunday (free).

For adults, as well as plenty of shopping at the 50 craft stalls selling beautiful handmade goodies  – candles, Christmas decorations, pickles and chutneys, jewellery, soaps and body lotions, wooden toys, homeware, ceramics, lighting, art,  children’s clothes, photography, wreaths and fairy houses.

There’s also a brilliant entertainment line-up to enjoy. In the sports hall with the craft stalls, local choirs will sing. Outside, in an enormous undercover marquee, nine bands will take to the stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday and those performing include Big Brass Ska Band, Foot Moose and The Tokamaks. The cost to enter the marquee is £5 for adults and £3 for children, for all three days (only those aged 18 and over after 9pm).

The bar will be stocked with 16 local real ales, craft lager and cider, plus a gin & wine bar. Reducing queuing time, tokens purchased on entry (cash only) can then be used to buy drinks.

White Star Catering will be cooking up pizzas, burgers and nachos plus vegan, veggie and gluten-free options.  Plus RiversMeet cafe will have boxed children’s meals, panninis and teas and coffees.

The fair is expected to be Gillingham’s biggest event of the year and is raising money for the Blackmore Vale Boxing Club and Gillingham Town Football club.

There is free parking at Gillingham School.

The Spirit of Christmas fair
Friday, December 6: live bands 6pm-9pm
Saturday, December 7: craft fair and choirs 10.30am – 5pm; live bands 11am – 11pm
Sunday, December 8: craft fair and choirs, 10.30am-4pm; Somerset Petting Farm; live bands 11am – 5pm.
www.facebook.com/spiritatriversmeet/

READ MORE ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR AT RIVERSMEET…

*** Brilliant bands playing at the Spirit of Christmas fair

*** Spirit of Christmas fair – raising funds for the community