Christmas Lights Switch On 2022
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The Christmas Lights Switch On was a wonderful day of fun, entertainment and lots of magic as Helensburgh came together to watch the switching on of this year’s Christmas lights display which will run now for seven weeks.
The Christmas market traded all day from 10am and was extremely busy, the stallholders having a tremendous trading day. Fairground rides were busy all day until the early evening with lots of different rides, something for all ages.
In the afternoon local entertainers took to the stage to entertain everyone with a fantastic array of local talent. Studio 30. Kirsty McLaren, Saturday Orchestra, Ian McLeod Theatre School, Rock Choir all gave tremendous performances in front of large audiences and finally Bethesda and the Baptist Church congregations led everyone in singing Christmas Carols as thousands gathered in the square to wait for Santa to arrive.
In the afternoon our very special guest, Paddington Bear, was busy meeting and greeting children of all ages and posing for lots of very precious photos. Meeting and greeting in the crowd too were Santa’s very special characters, the Grinch, Snowman, Olaf, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, LOL Diva, Sven Reindeer, Batman and the Gruffalo.
As darkness began to fall Santa, led by Rory and friends in his limousine, made a magnificent entrance along Princes Street on top of a very special Heritage Fire Engine, with his own special elf acting as his safety office, and then climbed to the ground to an astounding welcome from the crowd which completely filled Colquhoun Square.
Everyone was so excited to welcome Santa to Helensburgh for another special switch on event. Santa made his way to the stage to join all his character friends and then our very special guest, Paddington Bear, made his through the huge crowd and joined Santa on the stage to light up the town.
All was set for the big moment so Santa and Paddington started the countdown from 10 and when the crowd yelled zero they pressed the magic plunger and the town was lit from end to end with Christmas Lights. It was magnificent and the atmosphere was electric, a really special night for Helensburgh, it was truly magic. People stayed on and enjoyed the rides and lots of different street food as they took in the spectacle of this year’s lights and the magnificent Christmas tree, kindly donated by Luss Estates.
Our objective with the Christmas lights project is to produce a very special magic for the town and although it is hard work over many weeks, it is all worthwhile when, with the help of local residents and visitors, we are able to fill the town square to capacity for the Christmas Lights Switch On and create a truly memorable day. We just want to say a huge “Thank You” to everyone for the tremendous support which is given to our event, the square is filled to capacity, we enjoy the unstinting support of many local businesses who help with the organisation and high calibre community entertainers take to the stage to give truly professional performances. Thank you also to all council officers and staff who helped us to spread the fairy dust! Ho, ho, ho.