Press Release

22 November 2021

Thousands attend Fareham Christmas lights extravaganza!

Fareham Borough Council is celebrating the huge success of its Christmas Lights Switch On event on Saturday 20 November.

Thousands of Fareham residents of all ages attended the event throughout the day which had something for everyone. The pedestrianised area of West Street was lined with face painting, circus workshop, reindeer, fun fair rides, festive gift stalls, delicious food and drink. There was also a wide range of activities available including Christingle making with Christians Together Fareham as well as Christmas decoration making packs provided by Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham WI and the Crafty Makery.

There were circus performers entertaining the crowds throughout the day, a circus themed fancy dress competition and a very special Greatest Showman circus finale show to delight spectators.

Further along West Street as well as the High Street, traders were once again offered a free set of Christmas lights to display in their store windows. A total of 86 traders have now received a 20-metre string of lights which are designed to complement the colour and design of the wider festive lighting scheme*.

The crowd cheered as the Christmas lights were switched on by the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, with the support of Father Christmas and event comperes Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.

Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Sue Walker, said: “It was amazing to see so many people in West Street throughout the day, especially as last year’s event had to be cancelled. The day was packed full of entertainment and there was such a lot to see and do. The finale show was incredible, and I would like to thank our fabulous Leisure and Community Team at the Council as well as all the suppliers, community groups and performers involved for making it truly an event to remember.

“Now that the lights are on, our focus can shift to our ‘Live Love Local’ message, which is designed to help Fareham’s wide range of unique, independent shops and food and drink businesses over the Festive season and beyond. I would love to see all Fareham residents pledge to shop local this year!”

The Live Love Local campaign has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For more information about shopping at Fareham’s hidden gems please visit: www.livelovelocalfareham.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

*Traders can request a string of festive light from Fareham Borough Council by contacting leisure@fareham.gov.uk. These lights have also been funded through the ERDF and are available on a first come first served basis with limited stocks remaining.

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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