Switch-on display brings town alive!
AFEAST of festive fun was enjoyed by nearly 10,000 people as Macclesfield’s Christmas lights were switched on.
The event took place in the town centre on Saturday, December 1, and began with the opening of the Christmas market complete with mulled wine, roast chestnuts and fairground rides.
Macclesfield Junior Brass Band played well known carols and there was on-stage musical entertainment from acts including Leah Goodhind, Klazomaniacs, Cosmo Calling and Dandelion Rose.
New for this year were Victorian carol singers wandering through the town centre and Father Christmas had a grotto in the town hall.
Before he settled in for the afternoon, Santa paraded on his sleigh and was called outside for the big lights switch-on, which was accompanied by fireworks.
Five-year-old Lila Burnett had the honour of performing the switch-on.
The event was organised by Macclesfield Town Council with help from a team of volunteers.
Pete Turner, the council’s clerk, said: “It was such good fun to see the town centre alive all day. Throughout the day, almost 10,000 people came into the town centre.
“We couldn’t do anything like this without all the volunteers, including the volunteers who put on the Father Christmas grotto in the mayor’s parlour, who worked hard and did such a good job.
“It looked fabulous and hopefully the kids who came along saw some real Christmas magic.
“We had some great live music and the crowd joined in the spirit to really make the switch-on a great community event. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as me.”
Pictures by James Russell Photography