It’s a Sparkling Crystal Christmas for Congleton – Lights Switch on 23 November
Thousands are expected to flock to Congleton on Friday 23 November to see the annual Christmas Lights Switch-on. With the High Street closed to traffic the area will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland from 4pm – 7pm, with the big lights switch on at 5.30pm
People attending the switch on can enjoy children’s fair rides, a quality craft and gift fayre in Town Hall, local organisations fayre in the pedestrian area, hot food, lantern procession, entertainment both from the main stage by the Christmas Tree and from the Crystal Cave at the Swan Bank end of the pedestrian area and a sound sensitive firework display.
The event is organised by a ‘Christmas Crackers’ group led by Congleton Town Council and Congleton Community Projects. Following comments from last the group has decided not to use Santa’s sleigh this year and to take the lantern procession from the Community Gardens to the Stage rather than attempt to parade through the crowds in the pedestrian area.
Jo Money from Congleton Community Projects explained: “The sleigh was beautiful – but very difficult to manoeuvre through the crowds and then blocked people’s view at the main stage. Our key priority has to be to ensure everyone has a great and safe time at the lights switch on.”
Entertainment on the main stage will start at 4pm with music from Beartown FM. Daven Tappers will take to the stage at 4.30pm, followed by Glee Club, Team Parish Players, Salt City Jazz Band, Eaton Bank Academy Singers and High School Samba Band and Rhythm Nation Street Dance amongst the acts. The Town Crier, Cllr Douglas Parker, will lead the community singing leading up to the lights being switched on at 5.30pm by Father Christmas, Princess Aurora and one of the Babes from the Congleton Pantomime Sleeping Beauty. The main stage has been sponsored by Mattroe.
Rode Hall Silver Band, Eric Newton, Samantha Morley, the High School Samba Band will be amongst the acts at the Crystal Cave at the top of the pedestrian area.
The High Street will be closed from the bottom of Moody Street to the bottom of Canal Street from 2.30pm until 8.30pm. There will be three road blocks – one at the bottom of Moody Street, one preventing cars turning left at the bottom of Canal Street and one preventing vehicles coming onto the High Street from Market Street and the bus station.
There will also be a temporary closure to allow the lantern procession to parade from the Community Gardens in Lawton Street to the stage at the bottom of Moody Street. The lantern procession will leave at 5.00pm
