Festive tractors set to tour the island's towns

Seventy-five festively decorated tractors are set to tour the towns for the seventh time to raise money for good causes.

There will be two chances to catch a glimpse of the agricultural vehicles decorated in colourful Christmas lights and illuminations, on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Convoys will see the tractors twinkle their way from the Manx capital on different routes from the south and west in the holiday calendar's popular public spectacle.

Organised by the Isle of Man Young Farmers, the 2024 Christmas Tractor Run will raise money for the Children's Centre and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Port Erin

For the southern route, tractors will gather on Church Road, in Port Erin, for 16:30 GMT on Friday.

This starting point is a change from last year’s run, which set off from the town’s breakwater.

Colby and Ballabeg

They will depart Port Erin at 18:20, proceeding to drive through Colby at about 18:40.

After passing through Ballabeg at 18:50, the convoy will turn onto the A5 Castletown Bypass before turning right onto Arbory Road and then on to Farrants Way.

Castletown and Ballasalla

The tractors aim to reach Castletown Square at 19:00, before moving through the town via Castle Street and Bridge Street.

They will then travel to Ballasalla along the A5, arriving there at about 19:30, befoe heading on to Cross Four Ways via the A7 road.

Foxdale and St John’s

There will be a “slow procession” of the tractors through Foxdale from 20:00, which then will turn left onto Station Road towards St John’s, passing through there at about 20:15.

Crosby, Union Mills and Douglas

The tractors will then make their way on the A1 Peel Road to Douglas, passing through Crosby at around 20:30, going on to travel through Union Mills.

The cavalcade is expected to reach Braddan Bridge by 20:50, and finally arrive at the finishing point of the TT Grandstand for around 21:00.

Peel

The second run on Saturday will start from Peel Promenade in the western town, with tractors gathering along Shore Road and East Quay from 16:00.

At 17:30 the tractors will depart Shore Road, leaving Peel via Walpole Road and then the A4 Ramsey Road.

Kirk Michael

The convoy is expected to reach Kirk Michael for a “slow procession” through the village at around 18:00.

Ballaugh and Sulby

The tractors aim to reach Ballaugh Bridge for 18:20, and reach Sulby village by 18:30.

Ramsey

Planning to arrive in Ramsey at about 19:00, the tractors will stop at Parliament Square and the Market Square until they depart at 19:30, via Queen’s Promenade and then on to the A2 Laxey Coast Road.

Glen Mona and Laxey

The tractors will pass through Glen Mona at 20:00, aiming to arrive in Laxey village at 20:30.

Onchan and Douglas

The festive vehicles will then arrive in Onchan at 21:00, before once again going on to finish at the TT Grandstand at about 21:15.

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