TRADITIONAL Christmas attractions including carol singing, roasted chestnuts and even a green Santa will feature in the 2014 Otley Victorian Fayre.

The event, which takes place from noon to 6pm on Sunday, will also feature performances by mummers and Morris dancers, bell ringers, brass bands and street entertainers.

A family-focused day that sees the whole town centre pedestrianised, the fayre boasts a wealth of attractions for children – including fairground rides, Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides and reindeer.

Many of the stallholders, publicans and shopkeepers will be in period dress too to add to the Dickensian atmosphere.

Last year’s fayre attracted thousands of people and organising committee chairman Steph Lee is looking forward to another special day.

She said: “I and my team of volunteers are pleased to bring the 29th Victorian Fayre to Otley.

“This year’s stand-out feature will be a lantern parade through the town.

“It will be headed by our Bellman, Terry Ford, in full regalia; local children, who made the lanterns at Otley Courthouse; a very large special lantern handled by the workshop leaders; and a band of musicians playing festive tunes.

“I hope everyone has a wonderful day.”

The lanterns were created at the Courthouse by children attending its autumn half-term workshops, which were led by local company Handmade Parade.

The venue’s centre manager, Rachael Savage, hopes the parade will become a regular feature at future fayres.

She said: “We are very excited about the inaugural parade.

“This has been a great opportunity to work with the local community in terms of making the lanterns, and we really hope everyone enjoys taking part in the actual procession itself on Sunday.

“We are also really glad to be working in partnership with the Otley Parish and Otley Methodist Beaver groups, and hope this is the first of many opportunities to work together.”

The parade will set off from Otley Courthouse at 4.15pm, and will travel along Kirkgate and Beech Hill, before returning.

Traditional images of Santa Claus or Father Christmas have depicted him as wearing either green or red over the centuries – and nods to both versions will be made at the fayre.

Otley Lions will hold a Santa’s Grotto, where a red Mr Claus will meet and give small gifts to children, at their fundraising book shop in Mercury Row.

Members of Otley and Yeadon Green Party and Otley-based group Practically Green, meanwhile, will be donning green Santa hats as they promote all things recyclable at their first stall.

Environmentally-friendly gifts and advice will be on offer, and Owen Brear, the local city council candidate for the Greens, hopes people will stop by. He said: “We think the green message of doing practical things to save our environment for future generations can be relevant at this time of year.

“Christmas can be ‘green’; don’t forget that the original Santa Claus was dressed in green, not red!”

Run entirely by volunteers, the fayre is a not-for-profit event that supports local good causes throughout the year.