Christmas Lights switch-on

joshua

Well-Known Forumite

Let there be light!​




19/10/2021​

light switch on



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
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
With the way it's always so very tightly packed in Market Square for this event, expect COVID rates to sky-rocket shortly thereafter.
 

joshua

Well-Known Forumite
With the way it's always so very tightly packed in Market Square for this event, expect COVID rates to sky-rocket shortly thereafter.
Lets not forget all those eye injuries caused by setting of fireworks directly above densely packed crowds
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Don't get me wrong, ordinarily we'd go and make an evening of it at The Swan after but not this year, I don't think...
 

joshua

Well-Known Forumite
Don't get me wrong, ordinarily we'd go and make an evening of it at The Swan after but not this year, I don't think...
likewise, few drinks and a wander around the food stalls but then retreat to a safe distance to avoid the crush in the square also you could appreciate the fireworks much better from a distance
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
This kind of thing really should have some forethought.

Surely they could have incorporated all the new traffic lights into the festivities?
 
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