THE hunt is on for six local buskers, bands and singers to enter the town’s Battle of the Buskers contest and win a Christmas gig.

Skipton Town Council is looking for musicians to entertain at Skipton Christmas Lights Switch On where they can expect a crowd of 30,000 people.

The council is delivering a spectacular festive season which includes a day full of festive fun for all the family. The Christmas lights switch on event is set to take place on Skipton High Street on Sunday, November 28 between 12pm to 6.30pm.

However, this year it is looking for local performers to enter their Battle of the Buskers competition which aims to give local artists the opportunity to perform to a large crowd, something which has not been possible for the last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“We wanted to give local musicians the opportunity to perform to a large audience and allow them the chance to engage with the community.” said Hannah Corrigan, Skipton’s new events and tourism manager for Skipton Town Council.

She added: “The arts have had a difficult 18 months, so we wanted to support local musicians and give them the platform to showcase their talent.”

The competition kicks off this Friday, August 13, and will run for three weeks up to the deadline for submissions on Friday, September 3.

The final lucky six performers will be chosen by Skipton mayor , Karen McIntyre, and announced on Friday, September 10. Each will have an opportunity to perform on the main stage at the switch-on and the Christmas markets.

Cllr McIntyre said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for Skipton’s budding singers and bands to perform to such a large-scale audience at one of the town’s favourite events.

“After the last couple of years that country has had Skipton deserve a day to remember, filled with laughter and good music, and why not have entertainment from all the local talented singers from Skipton and the surrounding area?”

Guest of honour will be nine-year-old Luke Mortimer who was struck down by bacterial meningitis in 2019 and whom the whole town took to their hearts.

Any bands or buskers wishing to enter the Battle of the Buskers, please email christmas@skiptontowncouncil.gov.uk or contact the council’s Facebook page with your name, age, contact number, style of music, and a video of you performing a song of your choice.