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Big switch on attracts crowds as Gainsborough gets ready for Christmas

Big switch on attracts crowds as Gainsborough gets ready for Christmas
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Big switch on attracts crowds as Gainsborough gets ready for Christmas

21 November 2016

Gainsborough has celebrated another show stopping Christmas lights switch on with a well attended event across the whole town on Friday (November 19th).

The event changed back to a Friday this year and entertainment began as soon as the children  finished school for the day. Performances took place on two stages - one in the Market Place and the other at Marshall’s Yard - all building up to the Christmas lights being switched on.

Lincs FM’s Alex Cann did a fantastic job of building up to the big switch on – first in the town centre at 6:30pm and then at 8pm at Marshall’s Yard.

The two venues were linked by a traditional Christmas market with high quality stalls selling food, crafts, jewellery and other Christmas gift ideas.

The town centre lights were switched on by cast members from the Gainsborough Music and Theatre Society and at Marshall’s Yard competition winners Tizzy and Maxen-John Turner launched this year’s festive display after their mum wrote into the Gainsborough Standard about  why they deserved to be Santa’s helpers.

Live music was provided by top quality tribute acts in both venues with Little Chix entertaining the crowds in the town centre and a Michael Buble tribute stage show getting everyone into the festive spirit in the Yard.

Traditional festive music was provided by the RAF Waddington Military Wives Choir and The Salvation Army Brass Band.
The Torn once again headlined the Marshall's Yard stage performing just before the spectacular eight minute firework display.

There were also fantastic live performances from Wendy Foster School of Dance and Phoebe Walker.  Free horse and carriage rides, face painting and a Jedi training school also ran throughout the night as well as fairground rides.

The team at Marshall’s Yard has worked for the last two years with Gainsborough Town Council to coordinate better lighting across the town and organise a high quality switch on this has been helped further by grant funding from West Lindsey District Council.

Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard Alison Hall said: “This was our third year of running the Christmas lights switch on across two venues and this year's turn out did not disappoint.

"Despite the cold weather people turned out on their thousands and we know this event is attracting more and more people from out of town as it grows in popularity and reputation.

"The response from visitors on the night and after the event on social media has been really positive and we think we got it right this year changing back to a Friday night event.

“It really is fantastic what can be achieved when everyone works together."

Gainsborough's Mayor, Cllr Kenneth Wooley, said "The best way to start Christmas is definitely with a visit to Gainsborough - the town is certainly on the map now for Christmas celebrations. The support for this event just keeps growing year on year which is fantastic to see."

 

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Emailadmin@dransfield.co.uk