Barrow’s Christmas lights switch-on event will also showcase what a community hub could offer the town.
The festive event will be held on Saturday, November 19 and activities at The Forum from 10am to 2pm include Christmas craft workshops, live music, food and retail stalls and a Christmas grotto as well as wellbeing support and business and enterprise advice.
Entertainment and the lights switch-on take place in the town square from 3pm to 6pm.
Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council and a member of the #BrilliantBarrow board, said: “We want to showcase the types of activities that could be on offer at the Town Centre Community Hub which will be located at The Forum.
“It’s an exciting project that aims to draw the community together and we feel that this is the perfect time to show how it could work going forward.
“Not only will it be a fun day out, there will be valuable support for people who are thinking about opening their own business, advice for people who are worried about their energy bills and mental health and wellbeing support.
“It’s so nice to be able to host a community Christmas event throughout the day, ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on in the evening. We hope to see lots of people attend what is sure to be a brilliant day out for everyone.”
Barrow Market will host a Christmas grotto with a Christmas sleigh photo opportunity for children provided by Family Action and the outdoor market will have live music and food stalls.
The Christmas lights switch-on is organised by Beth and Denis Horan of Ultimate Events with the assistance of staff from The Forum and an army of helpers across the area.
The Switch-on Star, a local inspirational person selected via a public vote, will have the honour of turning on the Christmas lights. The lights switch-on will take place at 5.45pm, following an afternoon of live entertainment, featuring performances from the Cinderella Pantomime cast, Caitlin McIntosh from the Walney Musical Theatre Company performing as Ariel, Father Christmas, Boom Dang, Beth Horan and Take Off That, a Take That tribute band. More acts are to be announced.
Beth said: “There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at the switching on of the Christmas lights and thousands of residents and families turn out to enjoy the festivities and entertainment.
“Work to organise the event started some months ago and the final preparations are now underway. We’ve got a wonderful line up of performers again this year ready to entertain everyone and we’re all looking forward to the event itself.”
