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Santa and his reindeer to ride into Rochdale!

Posted on 25/11/2011

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 The annual Father Christmas and Reindeer Parade returns to Rochdale town centre on Sunday 4 December. Real live reindeer and a red Russian sleigh carrying Father Christmas will lead the festive parade through the town centre from the top of Yorkshire Street and onto The Butts.

The reindeer will be followed by members of Littleborough Brass Band playing well-known Christmas carols, as well as some fabulous street theatre acts. They will also be joined by over 100 children from local primary schools, who have been working with a Rochdale artist and Town Centre Management to create their very own reindeer masks as part of the parade.

The parade will start at 12pm from the top of Yorkshire Street and finish on the Butts area, where there will also be a young children’s funfair and more Christmas music. Families will then have the opportunity to meet and chat to Santa as well as being able to feed the reindeer, who will no doubt be hungry after their journey! They will leave Rochdale at 3pm.

Last week X Factor boy band, The Risk and a host of special guests switched on the Christmas lights to an audience of over 3000 people, signaling the start of six weeks of entertainment in town during the run up to Christmas Eve. An appearance by children’s favourite Rastamouse, live festive music and a Christmas market are all lined up by Rochdale Town Centre Management and Rochdale Borough Council.

Chair of Rochdale Township, Cllr Sultan Ali said:

“The reindeer parade is always a very well-attended event, as it brings families together and gives everyone a warm and happy feeling. Thanks must go to all the local school children who have worked so hard on their creations and everyone is looking forward to seeing them in the parade. This is just one of the family-friendly events happening in Rochdale town centre, and we hope to see lots of local people coming down to show their support.”