Burnham-On-Sea’s Carnival Queen and her Princesses joined the Mayor in switching on the town’s Christmas lights today (Saturday, November 28th).
A special ceremony was held in front of hundreds of spectators outside the Victoria Hotel in Victoria Street.
The event got underway at 3pm with live music from popular local band The Ginger Hitlas, followed by a special visit from Father Christmas and the switch-on itself at 4.30pm.
Carnival Queen Jessica Rogers and her princesses, Danielle Hockey and Bethany May Ellis plus Mayor’s Cadet Nick Jones, helped by Mayor Derick Cooper, pushed a plunger to officially switch on the illuminations.
Face painting, refreshments, hot snacks and mulled wine were also available and there were special visits by Fergus The Tractor and BARB’s Light Of Elizabeth hovercraft.
A reception for invited guests afterwards was held in The Princess, where local drama group Curtain Group sang Christmas carols and songs.
Geoff Shickle, Chairman of Burnham’s Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It was a superb event and we were delighted to have so many people in Victoria Street to watch the switch-on.”
He thanked those who contributed to this year’s Christmas lights funding, which included Chamber members and the town council. Click here for online video highlights of the switch-on ceremony.
Hundreds of spectators gathered in Victoria Street for the event
Burnham Lions Club members collected for charity at the switch-on
Santa handed out sweets and small gifts to young and old!
Father Christmas was also happy to stop for a photo
Sedgemoor Chairman Jane Moreton and Mayor Derick Cooper with Carnival Queen Jessica Rogers and her princesses, Danielle Hockey and Bethany May Ellis
Fergus The Tractor and author Steve Burnside visited Sea Breeze art gallery during Saturday’s event for a special book signing
Face painting was one of the many activities held during Saturday’s event
The festive illuminations have been lit up across Burnham
Burnham drama group Curtain Call performed festive songs and carols at the event in the Princess afterwards
