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Huge crowds flocked to the Christmas lights switch on at Festival Place

Basingstoke

Hundreds of people flocked to Festival Place to officially start the countdown to Christmas at the annual Christmas light switch on.

The family event took place on Thursday 16 November in Festival Square, the fun kicked off at 4pm and went on until 6pm and involved a massive array of entertainment.

The evening was kicked off with music played on the stage from Heart radio as crowds of parents, children and residents coming to enjoy the festivities.

Following the music, the crowd was kept entertained by Matt and Michelle from Heart Breakfast who managed to “turn up the feel good” before introducing the acts.

The HALO LED Glow Show were the first act to take to the stage, the quartet comprised of Hula Hoop duo ‘Grace Billings and Satya’ and juggler Jago Parfitt and Dimitri Ogden.

After the flashing performance, The West End Cast of The Lion King wowed the crowd with their renditions of the songs from the Lion King which included classics like “I just can’t wait to be king.”

Following that, Matt and Michelle welcomed Peter Pan from this year’s panto at The Anvil, Jessica Punch, to the stage in anticipation for the big Christmas light switch on.

The count-down took place just before 6pm and Matt, Michelle, Peter Pan and Santa and his elves pressed the button to switch on the lights in Festival Place.

Leigh-Anne, 7, from Beggarwood was watching with her mum and said: “It’s really good here! I love Christmas and the Christmas lights.”

The crowds then watched the firework display, a special way to mark the countdown to Christmas.

Carrie Webb, 33 was watching with her 5-year-old daughter Mia and said: “It’s a great event that gets put on here, it’s so important for the children to come and get excited for Christmas!

“I think it’s also just as much for the parents as it is for the kids, I love Christmas and I bring my daughter just as an excuse to come.

“I’d still be here even if she wasn’t here!

“I think the Glow show was amazing, Festival Place have done really well to get some fab performers here this year.

“My daughter loves the Lion King so having them sing has made her night along with the fireworks.

“It’s just been such a lovely evening and we feel really Christmassy and can’t wait to start counting the days down.”

Source: http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/15667752.GALLERY__Huge_crowds_flocked_to_the_Christmas_lights_switch_on_at_Festival_Place/?ref=mrb&lp=2