The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Could you make city sparkle at Christmas?
Queensgate is looking for someone to switch on the festive lights
Santa Claus is looking for a helper in Peterborough to spread the festive joy this year and turn on the Christmas lights in Queensgate. The seasonal display will be lit up on November 19, and a lucky Peterborough person will join Santa on stage to press the big button.
If you think you are the right person to perform the job, you have until 8pm Sunday, November 13 to write an early letter to Santa to put your case forward.
The switch-on is part of a festive day in the city, with the main city centre lights - including the controversial artificial tree in Cathedral Square - being lit up as well.
Last year Olympic gymnast Louis Smith pressed the buttoninthecity centre. This year there will benocelebrity guest, with Santa being joined by mayor cllr David Sanders and council leader John Holdich in the square at 5pm.
The Queensgate lights will then be switched on at 7pm, after Santa’s Grotto is opened at 6pm.
The new city centre tree had a mixed reaction when it was revealed. It was the first time an artificial tree had been used as the focal point of Peterborough’s Christmas display, and cost the council £40,000, and is expected to last until 2020. It previously cost the council £80,000 per year for the Christmas display.
Along with the switch-on, there will be entertainment starting at 1pm from ‘One Boyband’ Tom Korni, Peterborough Male Voice Choir & Peterborough Voices whowill perform a selection of festive favourites, and The Stringlers who will entertain the audience with Christmas classics on their violins.
The cast of Dick Whittington from the Key Theatre will also lead the crowd in a pantomime singalong.
Councillor Janet Goodwin, cabinet member for city centre management, culture and tourism, said: “This year’s event includes entertainment for all the family which I hope will encourage lots of people into the city centre.
“As well as enjoying the big switch-on, you can take the chance to do some Christmas shopping and enjoy the many restaurants that Peterborough has to offer.
“Working i n partnership with Queensgate means we are able to offer an event packed with local entertainment as well as plenty of festive sparkle.”
A Christmas gift tree, collecting items for charity Spurgeons, will also be located in Queensgate over the festive period. The tree will have tags on with the name of a child to buy a present for.
And a team of charity volunteers will be wrapping presents for customers- in exchange for a donation - during the run up to the big day.
If you want to be in with the chance of switching on the Queensgate lights - and winning a £50 Queensgate voucher - visit www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk
I hope it will encourage people into the city centre Cllr Janet Goodwin