The packed line up for the annual Rochdale Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch On has been revealed including Littleborough singer and X-Factor star Danny Dearden, Britain’s Got Talent boy band “The Mend”, and Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn.
The popular Christmas Lights Switch On event taking place on Saturday 22 November will commence with a magical lantern parade led by Katie McGlynn at 3.30pm from the top of Yorkshire Street. School children from Holy Trinity, Broadfield and Hamer primary schools will accompany children’s favourite characters including Peppa Pig, Iron Man, Sponge Bob and Lightening McQueen, star of the Pixar Film, Cars . The parade will make its way down to The Butts for live performances on the stage between 4pm – 5pm, followed by a spectacular firework display.
Rochdale Town Centre Manager and event organiser Mark Foxley said: “This year we wanted to showcase our local pride and give the public a free event the whole family can come down and enjoy. We have a fantastic line up to kick start the festivities and special thanks to Rochdale Borough Council for their support and funding.
“We hope families will make a full day of the event and do some early Christmas shopping in the town centre beforehand and stay afterwards for a bite to eat. We have over 80 fabulous independent shops and 60 high street names. We also have some great venues in the town centre including The Baum – voted best pub in the UK, La Mancha, Madison’s and The Flying Horse Hotel to name a few.“
Boy band “The Mend” said: “We’re really looking forward to performing in Rochdale. We have been in the studio for a while working on our album so we can’t wait to get back on stage, particularly at such a fantastic event as the Christmas Lights Switch On....so let's get Rochdale rocking! “ Rapper Kris who lives in Middleton says “it’s an honour to perform so close to home and to be part of the best festive party in town!”
Other local artists to perform on the main stage will include The Carers Resource Choir, Turners Dance Studio and characters from Cinderella Pantomime at the Middleton Arena. The Big Switch On will be carried out by all the artists along with The Mayor of Rochdale and players from the Rochdale Hornets Rugby League.
Councillor Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic free event for all the family which has always been given the thumbs up by our residents. Hot on its heels will be late night shopping, the Wheatsheaf Christmas markets and a fantastic family day featuring Santa and his reindeer on Saturday 6th December. I’d encourage everyone to come along and celebrate the festivities in style. ”
The event will be hosted by local radio station Revolution Radio 96.2 and there will also be children’s rides and various stalls at this annual festive favourite..
The lights switch on is the first event in the Rochdale Town Centre Christmas programme, full details of which, along with late night opening hours, can be found in the programme guide available in shops or on rochdaletowncentre.co.uk/christmas
13 Nov 2014