Lights, reindeer and of course Santa
THIS year is something of a first for The Sentinel. We’ve joined forces with Stoke-on-trent City Council to stage a Christmas lights switch-on extravaganza in the city centre, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
We’re calling it A Proper Stokie Christmas because that’s exactly what it’s going to be – the sort of festive event that our readers have been calling for.
We’re aiming to deliver an old fashioned Christmas lights switch-on reminiscent of those that mums, dads, nans and grandads remember from their own childhood, except this time they’ll be able to share it with their children and grandchildren.
There will be a stage show, celebrities, school choirs, Santa Claus, reindeer and much more.
And because we understand how expensive this time of the year can be, most of the familyfriendly fun will be completely free of charge on the evening. If families can get themselves into the city centre on Thursday, November 15 they can enjoy themselves without needing to spend another penny. The fun will start at around 3.30pm in Albion Square, in front of Hanley Town Hall, leading up to the lights being switched on at 7pm. Attractions will include real reindeer, Santa arriving on the land train, free face painting, free balloon modelling, free crafts for children, a magician, roaming poets, Star Wars characters and much more. Other attractions will include seven primary school choirs – one from each of the six towns and one from Newcastle – who will be performing their ‘Song for Christmas’ on stage between 3.45pm and 5pm.
And, if you see Santa Claus, don’t forget to say hello as he will be handing out free goodies including chocolate, badges and glow sticks to good little boys and girls.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service will be bringing Welephant, left, along on a fire engine too to join in with the festivities and you can also hop on the BBC Bus to have a go at reading the weather forecast.
And, if that’s not enough, there will be a whole host of famous faces, performers and musicians on the huge stage leading up to the lights switch-on at 7pm followed by a fireworks finale. And remember – Winter Wonderland launches on the same evening.