Light switch-on marks countdown to Christmas in Gainsborough

Gainsborough celebrated a show-stopping Christmas lights switch on with a well attended event across the whole town.
Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Kayleigh Butt, Alecia Butt and Toni Kent.Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Kayleigh Butt, Alecia Butt and Toni Kent.
Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Kayleigh Butt, Alecia Butt and Toni Kent.

Entertainment began as soon as Gainsborough children finished school for the day, with performances taking place across two stages - one in the Market Place and the other at Marshall’s Yard.

The two venues were linked by a traditional Christmas market with stalls selling food, crafts, jewellery and Christmas gifts.

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The town centre lights were switched on at 6.30pm by cast members from the Gainsborough Music and Theatre Society.

Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.
Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.

At 8pm at Marshall’s Yard, competition winners Tizzy and Maxen-John Turner launched this year’s festive display after their mum wrote into the Standard about why they deserved to be Santa’s helpers.

Live music was provided by tribute acts in both venues with Little Chix entertaining the crowds in the town centre and a Michael Buble tribute stage show getting everyone into the festive spirit in the Yard.

Traditional festive music was a;so provided by the RAF Waddington Military Wives Choir and The Salvation Army Brass Band.

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Local vand The Torn once again headlined the Marshall’s Yard stage performing just before a spectacular eight-minute firework display.

Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on.Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on.
Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on.

Free horse and carriage rides, face painting and a Jedi training school ran throughout the night as well as fairground rides.

The team at Marshall’s Yard has worked for the last two years with Gainsborough Town Council to coordinate better lighting across the town and organise a high quality switch-on this has been helped further by grant funding from West Lindsey District Council.

Centre manager at Marshall’s Yard, Alison Hall, said: “This was our third year of running the Christmas lights switch on across two venues and this year’s turn out did not disappoint.

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“Despite the cold weather people turned out on their thousands and we know this event is attracting more and more people from out of town as it grows in popularity and reputation.

Visitors enjoyed an eight-minute firework display.Visitors enjoyed an eight-minute firework display.
Visitors enjoyed an eight-minute firework display.

“The response from visitors on the night and after the event on social media has been really positive and we think we got it right this year changing back to a Friday night event.

“It really is fantastic what can be achieved when everyone works together.”

Gainsborough’s Mayor, Councillor Kenneth Wooley of West Lindsey District Council, said: “The best way to start Christmas is definitely with a visit to Gainsborough.

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“The town is certainly on the map now for Christmas celebrations. The support for this event just keeps growing year on year which is fantastic to see.”

Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.
Gainsborough Christmas lights switch on. Lorelai Challis and Melissa Whittaker.

CAPTIONS:

NGAS xmas lights 01: Graham Gardiner, Ruth Gardiner and India Bartow from the Gainsborough Rotary Club.

NGAS xmas lights 02: Kayleigh Butt, little Alecia Butt and Toni Kent wrap up warm.

NGAS xmas lights 03: A local choir entertain the crowds.

NGAS xmas lights 04: Lorelai Challis is transformed into Rudolph by Melissa Whittaker.

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NGAS xmas lights 05: Visitors got the chance to be whisked away in a festive horse-drawn carriage.

NGAS-24-11-16 torn band: Local band The Torn were the event’s headliners.

NGAS-24-11:16 fireworks: Visitors were treated to a spectacular firework display.

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