City drums up big thrills for start of Christmas celebrations

A SPECTACULAR fire display, the stars of Edinburgh's Got Talent and – most incredibly – a convoy of cars along Prince Street are to get the city's Christmas celebrations under way this weekend.

The full line-up for the Sparkle into Christmas event was unveiled today.

With tram chiefs insisting all work will be finished on Princes Street, the Art Car Parade will kick-off the festivities.

Created by artists from across the country, the vehicles will be pushed, pedalled and driven from the Royal Mile to St Andrew Square. The line-up features an ice palace, a dragon car, a fishmobile and other eccentric creations. The finale will be a stage show in St Andrew Square Gardens.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the council's festival and events champion, said: "This unique event is a great addition to another fabulous line-up for Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations.

"I'd encourage people to come into town and see the parade on Saturday as well as experience the great shopping Edinburgh's city centre has to offer."

Council chiefs are keen to encourage shoppers back into the city centre over Christmas following months of tram works which have led to a reduction in footfall numbers in Princes Street.

Construction work on Princes Street is set to finish on Saturday, with buses returning to the street the following day.

A highlight of Sparkle into Christmas as well as the Homecoming Scotland Finale celebrations, the concert at St Andrew Square Gardens will include tribal drums and pipe band Clanadonia and the fire show Flame Oz.

Also taking to the stage will be seven local dancing superstars from the Penicuik-based Haughey McAuley Irish Dance Academy who will perform their Edinburgh's Got Talent winning entry.

Runner-up in the competition, 14-year-old Jack Robertson, will perform his rendition of Dougie McLean's Caledonia.

Torquil Macleod, programme manager for Homecoming Scotland, said: "The Homecoming 2009 Art Car Parade is one of the highlights of a big weekend of Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations in Edinburgh.

"We are delighted to be supporting the Edinburgh's Christmas team and to have such a great line-up to add to the fantastic array of events taking place across the city and the country to mark the Homecoming Finale and Scotland's biggest ever St Andrew's Day celebrations."

The Art Car Parade is free and sets off from the Royal Mile at 5pm on Saturday. Full details at www.edinburghschristmas.com.