Lights to be turned on this Friday
Annual Tin Hat Fair and lights switch on this Friday
THOUSANDS of people are expected to visit Hinckley town centre later this week to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on.
This year’s event on Friday 16 November will get underway at 4pm. The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm by Hinckley’s BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero Denise Shannon along with successful local male vocal group 4th Avenue’ and Mayor of the borough, Councillor Jan Kirby.
The switch-on will be followed by a firework display over St Mary’s Church, sponsored by the borough council and the Showman’s Guild.
The festivities will get underway from 4pm with a full programme of entertainment taking place on-stage in the Market Place.
Stage production and sound will be provided by Castle Mead Radio and Fosse 107 and the programme will include performances from 4th Avenue, Vicky Anne Academy of Dance, Fern and Lisa, Steve Faulkner, The Drama Academy and Hastings school. Hinckley‘s Concordia Theatre pantomime cast will also take centre stage to give us a preview of what this year’s pantomime has in store.
The switch-on will also involve representatives from the Hinckley Ex-Servicemen’s Association and the Royal British Legion at 6pm.
In addition to the entertainment in the Market Place, town centre shops will be open and a special Christmas market will be held to provide the crowds with an opportunity to do some timely Christmas shopping.
Meanwhile, children will get a chance to see live reindeer and meet Santa in his grotto, which will be located at the top of Castle Street. Free Christmas crafts workshop for children will also be taking place at the United Reformed Church as part of the event. Families are invited to drop in between 5.30pm and 7.30pm to make a range of Christmas crafts to take home.
The lights switch-on will also coincide with the staging of the traditional Tin Hat Fair in Regent Street. The fair will be open from 4pm until 10.30pm on Friday and from 11am to 9pm on Saturday.
All relevant road closure information will be detailed on the Borough Council website.
Council Leader Cllr Mike Hall said: “The Christmas lights switch-on in Hinckley is one of the first across the bor- ough and it’s always one of the most popular events of the year. With live entertainment, the usual fireworks, the Tin Hat Fair, and plenty of places to eat and shop it’s always an unforgettable evening, and I hope everybody has a happy and safe time at this year’s event.
“For those wanting to bring elderly and less mobile residents to view the lights I would recommend our drive through on 5th December. Seeing the lights without all of the crowds is great, but the night is not complete without a warm drink, mince pie and music at the United Reformed Church.
“This is a great event and I hope as many people as possible will come along to enjoy it.”
Argents Mead will be closed and no access allowed from 6.20pm-6.45pm to accommodate the fireworks. Hinckley Leisure Centre will be open as usual, with access available from St Mary’s Road/Leisure Centre car park side only between 6.20pm-6.45pm.
The council urges people to stay where they are to view and not to head to Church Walk.