Fakenham Christmas lights switch on 2019: Plans for this year’s event revealed
Market Square, Fakenham. Pictured is the switching on of Fakenham Christmas lights. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY - Credit: Archant © 2004
Plans for this year’s Fakenham Christmas lights switch-on have been revealed.
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights Switch On 2012. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
The market town will welcome the return of the highly anticipated event after it was cancelled last year when no one came forward to organise it.
In response to residents wanting to see the town host the event, Fakenham Town Council clerk Linda Jennings stepped forward with deputy clerk Ann Kerrison, councillor Mark and his wife Sonja, along with volunteer Lorraine Potter to put on something special.
This year's switch-on, which usually brings hundreds of visitors to the town centre, will include a Christmas fayre with market stalls and a variety of food, drink and craft vendors.
There will also be stilt walkers and other entertainment, including Fakenham Town Band.
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - The crowd. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
Ms Jennings said: "This event is in association with Fakenham Town Council and Fakenham Area Partnership, who provides the lights.
"We are also hoping that children from the infants and junior schools will take part in a lantern procession too.
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"And we mustn't forget that Father Christmas will be in his grotto in Sweets 'n' Things."
Organisers had decided that a fairground would be too expensive as the aim was to make the event as accessible as possible, while being family orientated.
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights Switch On 2012. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
In 2017, Fakenham resident and owner of Sweets 'n' Things, Lisa Mallett, took over the reigns of the event.
More than 1,000 people watched the lights switch on while enjoying fairground attractions and variety of stalls.
Fakenham Christmas lights switch-on and fayre will take place on Saturday, November 30, from 2pm to 6pm.
Also on the same week, the town's 19th Christmas Tree Festival will open on Thursday, November 28, and will see more than 50 charity trees display at the parish church on Oak Street. The event attracts more than 30,000 people every year.
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - Father Christmas arrives. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
- For more information about the Christmas lights switch on and fayre, contact Fakenham Town Council by emailing info@fakenhamtowncouncil.co.uk or ringing 01328 853653.
- If you are organising a Christmas event this year, email reporter Donna-Louise Bishop at donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk with full event and contact details.
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - The lights in the town centre. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - The crowd at the switch on. Picture: Matthew Usher. - Credit: Matthew Usher
