STRABANE town centre will be a hive of activity this Saturday as children’s animation favourites Paw Patrol join a fun filled line up of entertainment and animation to celebrate the switch on of the town’s Christmas lights.
The event is one of the highlights of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Christmas Programme and will feature Santa’s Grotto, a mini fun fair, live music, the Festival of Light Christmas Parade and the climax at 4.45pm when Santa, Paw Patrol and the Deputy Mayor perform the lights switch on.
Looking ahead to the day, Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Jim McKeever, encouraged local people to come out and enjoy what is always a “special moment”.
“This is Santa’s busiest time of the year so we are delighted that he has been able to make time to visit Strabane where he always gets a warm and enthusiastic welcome,” he said.
“It is always a special moment when we see the lights switched on for the first time and Council workers have been working hard this week to make sure everything is ready for Saturday.
“There is a great range of entertainment for all the family on offer as well as some very special live guests so it promises to be another day to remember.”
The action starts when the Alley Courtyard’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ opens from 10.30am until 4pm where the entertainment includes Santa’s Grotto, face painting, festival animals, the Wonder Wagon and Santa’s Sleigh Photo Booth.
Castle Street’s Festive Fever will begin at midday where highlights include a story telling bus, mini-funfair carousel and live animation before Santa’s arrival at 3pm.
Live music and entertainment from a host of local talent will feature on the Main Stage at Railway Street from 2pm before Santa’s arrival at 3pm.
At 4.30 pm, outdoor theatre specialists LUXe will stage a majestic Festival of Light Christmas Parade before the switch on itself 15 minutes later.
Motorists are advised that a number of traffic restrictions will be in place to facilitate the activities and are asked to follow signage and pre-plan their journey.
Castle Street will be closed to traffic from 10am-6pm while access to the upper end of Railway Road between John Wesley Street to the junction at Abercorn Square will be closed from 12pm to 6pm – vehicles are advised to bypass this area using John Wesley Street to Main Street or Dock Street on to Derry Road and vice versa.
Public Transport using Canal Street Bus Stop between 12noon and 6pm will be redirected via Dock Street to a Temporary Bus Stop as marked to allow for the Strabane Christmas Parade.
The Castlederg switch on has been scheduled for Thursday November 24th, Newtownstewart will take place on Thursday December 1st and Sion Mills is scheduled for Tuesday December 6th.
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