Gainsborough launches Christmas season in style!
8 November 2019
The Marshall’s Yard team are bringing more than a touch of Christmas sparkle to the town this year with the Christmas Light’s Switch on and Festive Feast running from Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November.
The three-day event promises to be packed with live entertainment across two stages, Toy Story and Disney’s Frozen character appearances, brass band and choir performances, the fabulous Illuminate Parade and three opportunities to see the Christmas lights being switched on. There’s also a festive food market and, of course, fireworks!
The fun begins on Friday at 3.45pm on the Wilson and Co stage in the Market Place, with performances from local school choirs, Freddie Halkon, Leanne Paige and Grace Bower. This will be followed by appearances from Disney’s Frozen characters Elsa and Anna and the chance to win cinema tickets to see the new Frozen movie out on the 22nd November.
Hosted by Lincs FM, the lights will then switch on in the town at 6pm with help Santa, the Mayor of Gainsborough, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council and the town’s Citizen of the Year.
In Marshall’s Yard from 4pm on the ABC Recruitment Services stage there will be further choir performances, the chance to meet Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz Lightyear, live music from Lewis Canner, Darren Porter, Lizzie Goddard, plus an acoustic set from Damian Dalton Smith and Tim Taylor. The headline act will then follow at 6:30pm, Little Chix, Britain’s best Little Mix tribute act, before the lights switch on at 7.30pm followed by the magnificent annual fireworks display.
The Christmas spirit continues into Saturday with music from local brass bands and choirs, free face painting, a stilt walker and free horse and carriage rides in the town centre. The Illuminate parade, marking the start of the 2019 Pilgrims Festival and 400th commemorative anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, will begin at 5pm from Gainsborough’s Old Hall leading to Marshall’s Yard.
There will be another chance to see the lights being switched on at the shopping centre but without the firework bangs at 5.45pm.
Plus - brand new for 2019 - the town welcomes the ‘Festive Feast’ from Friday to Sunday; an exciting food market featuring over 50 stalls selling hot food and drink, gifts and crafts - the perfect chance to soak up the atmosphere and sample delicious festive treats.
On Sunday visitors can take advantage of free parking in all council owned car parks in the town centre, making the whole event accessible on foot, by car and now train with the new train line available from Central Station located behind Marshall’s Yard.
The Christmas light’s event is coordinated and delivered by Marshall’s Yard in partnership with Gainsborough Town Council, West Lindsey District Council and RR Events who worked with Marshall’s Yard in bringing the Food and Garden Festival to the town earlier this year.
Established car dealership Wilson & Co, located on Trinity Street in Gainsborough, with branches in Scunthorpe, Manchester and Lancashire, is kindly sponsoring the town centre stage in Market Place and also the quieter switch on held on Saturday at Marshall’s Yard.
Sponsoring the Marshall’s Yard stage will be ABC Recruitment Services. A small local team offering a personal service to employers and candidates in and around Gainsborough, their focus is on the people rather than the process as they look to match the right person with the right role.
Alison Shipperbottom, Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, said: “The Christmas Light Switch On and Festive Feast celebrates the start of the Christmas season whilst bringing together Marshall’s Yard and the town centre. This fantastic event welcomes visitors from miles around wishing to start their Christmas festivities and see our spectacular firework display.
“With so much going on there is something for all ages to enjoy, including the festive feast, Illuminate Parade, plus the start of late-night Christmas shopping in Marshall’s Yard every Thursday up until the big day!
“On behalf of all staff and retailers we look forward to welcoming shoppers to enjoy a truly festive experience!”
For more information about the Christmas Light Switch On and Festive Feast, visit www.marshallsyard.co.uk, and for more information about the Illuminate Parade visit www.discovergainsborough.com/pilgrim-roots.
For further information, contact:
Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: admin@dransfield.co.uk
