BUXTON well dressing celebrations start this weekend with more ways than ever before for people to take part.
It is not too late to enter a variety of competitions for best dressed homes, lampposts and even gates as well as shops, pubs and residential homes.
For those who want to take part in the carnival procession on July 12, one of the highlights of t
he week, entry forms are available from the Buxton Advertiser office, Goddards Music shop, Hargreaves on Spring Gardens and the Tourist Information Centre.
On Sunday, July 6, the Blessing of the Wells, currently under construction at St John's Church, will take place at 1.45pm with a civic procession from St Anne's Church, making its way to each well in.
At St John's Church at 3pm the 2008 Wells Dressing Festival Queen Emily Bell will be crowned along with Rosebud Isobel Eccles by BBC television's Colin Sykes.
For the first time Buxton Well Dressing Committee has joined forces with the Buxton Festival Fringe for two illustrated walks on July 9 and 10.
The walks, led by two committee members, are part of the 29th Buxton Festival Fringe and are aimed at visitors and residents of Buxton alike.
They start at the Opera House at 10.30am and look at the key buildings of the town and their relationship with Buxton's unique thermal water. The walk will finish at the Derby University dome with refreshments. Tickets are available from the Opera House booking office at £5 each.
Another new event in the Well Dressing programme is an illustrated talk by Chris Simpson looking back at old Buxton, Fairfield and Burbage; this takes place at the Portland Hotel at 7.30pm on Tuesday July 8 at a cost of £4 per person.
Other established favourites are taking place again:-
On Monday, July 7 at 7.30pm is the Pairs Dominoes competition at the Blazing Rag. Entry fee £5 with £120 in prize money.
The 2008 Car Treasure Hunt is on Friday July 11 starting at 7pm from St Ann's Well. Entry is £5 per car with £40 and the Alison Park Trophy to the winners and booby prizes for the less successful.
For bowlers there is the opportunity to enter the Pairs Bowling Competition taking place at Burbage Bowling Club at 10am on Sunday July 13 with £100 prize money and trophies to be won.
In the afternoon of July 13 why not take your family pet to the Pet show at 2pm in the Pavilion Gardens, with prizes to be won in every class.
For more information the 2008 Well Dressing Guide is now on sale at many outlets around the town or see the web-site –
www.buxtonwelldressing.co.uk.
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