LIGHTING UP FOR CHRISTMAS
THE Christmas season is under way in Ashbourne.
The town council officially kicked off festivities by turning on the town’s Christmas lights on Saturday at an event that saw crowds turn out to soak up the spirit of the season.
This year, the winners of a children’s art competition were given the prestigious opportunity to flick the switch and set the lights runningl
Five-year-old Alice Harrison, from Hilltop Primary School, and 10-year-old Eliza Potter, of Osmaston Primary School, were the mayor’s guests of honour for the day.
The switch-on was the highlight of a day of festive events, centred around the Market Place.
Ashbourne Town Hall hosted a festive craft fair throughout the day, with a mayor’s reception beginning in the afternoon ahead of the main event. Father Christmas and his reindeer, Ashbourne Town Band, and characters from Matlock Bath’s Gulliver’s Kingdom also ensured families were entertained.
The next big event in the town’s festive calendar is the ever-popular traditional latenight shopping evening on Friday, December 7, which has been rekindled by a new group of organisers who have got together to work with the town council.
A dazzling lantern procession is due to take place at 6.30pm, marking an official start to the festivities on the night.
Shops are due to stay open until 9pm and the streets will be closed to allow room for shoppers, with stalls set up at various points around the town and the usual entertainement, including live music, will be on offer.
On Christmas Eve, Ashbourne Town Council and Ashbourne Town Band will be leading a carol service around the Christmas tree from 7.30pm.
And on Boxing Day, the Four Shires Bloodhounds is due to meet for its annual trail hunt on the Market Place from 1pm.