joshua
Well-Known Forumite
Let there be light!
19/10/2021
Stafford’s Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 20 November, with organisers promising the spectacular show will have plenty of Christmas magic and sparkle to launch the festive period in the County Town.
Live music, a host of panto stars and a dramatic firework display from the roof of the Guildhall Shopping Centre will mark the start of the town’s annual celebrations.
Festive food stalls as well as traditional fairground rides will line the streets, with fun Christmas street theatre to entertain the crowds.
Thousands of people are expected in the town centre for the fun-packed family event, hosted by BBC radio’s Tim Wedgwood.
The Saturday afternoon fun will take place in Market Square with Stafford’s Harvest Centre Gospel Choir starting off proceedings at 3pm with a stunning set of harmonised songs.
Local live music favourites The Cartoon Kings will be next on stage at 3.30pm followed by Stafford’s former Hollyoaks star Tom Vaughan, performing songs from his solo music career at 4.25pm.
CBeebies’ Rebecca Keatley, star of the record-breaking Snow White at the Gatehouse Theatre, will be on stage just after 4.45pm and will light up the town with the help of Stafford Borough’s Mayor, Councillor Tony Nixon.
The spectacular roof-top fireworks will then burst into the sky, followed by another hit-filled set from The Cartoon Kings.
Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council said: ‘I am so pleased we have the return of the Christmas lights switch-on in Stafford town centre this year.
‘It is seen as the traditional festive countdown to the big day and puts smiles on the faces of the children and families that come to the Market Square and surrounding streets to see the sky illuminated by our beautiful lights.
‘And 2021 will also see a return of the spectacular firework display from the roof of the Guildhall Shopping Centre and live music on stage which I know will help to get everyone in the festive mood.
‘We have already announced our first winter wonderland coming to Victoria Park late next month, with an ice rink and Bavarian-style market, so having our traditional light switch-on back is yet another great reason for people to come to our amazing town.’
Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Managing Director of Freedom Leisure, added “We will be delighted to see the community of Stafford coming together to enjoy this magical event once again. The Christmas lights mean a lot to the residents of Stafford and we’re excited to see families having fun as the countdown to Christmas officially starts.”
Liz Hulse, Active Communities and Events Manager of Freedom Leisure, said: ‘We’re excited to be working in partnership with Stafford Borough Council and Mercia Real Estate, which owns the Guildhall Shopping Centre, to light up the sky over Stafford once again and to celebrate Christmas with the Stafford Borough community!’
Press Release No 5821