It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! What a fabulous day we had on 2 December 2023 at the last of the 2023 Winterval season events – the Cleveleys Christmas Switch On!
The Winterval Season is working on brightening up the town during the gloomy months of winter. We want to brighten your life when the weather is frightful so year-on-year we’ll be adding to the winter events and display, year-on-year.
Family Fun…
This is the fifth event organised by The Town Centre Group in as many months, with activities and entertainment all the way from Peacocks to Claytons Jewellers on Victoria Road West.
The day dawned bright and crisp – even with a flurry of snow to set the scene! Craft stalls were first out, followed by Care for Cleveleys fundraising stalls. Our Christmas Tree Festival entry won the adult prize and appeared at the event, delivered in a wheelbarrow! By 11am shoppers were supporting the various stalls and enjoying the cheerful atmosphere.
By noon the street entertainment had arrived. Two giant Cocky Robins entertained the crowds, and later in the day two oversized Christmas Carol Crackers.
For little ones (and fun loving big ones!) Jimmy Juggle strode about on his stilts and the balloon man made all sorts of creatures for kiddies to keep.
Music was provided by Geoff Shepherd singing live swing songs, and Manor Beach School choir.
The fun didn’t end there – well over 100 kids also made their own Advent Count Down Calendar to take home. Loads of kids – and adults – had their faces painted too!
Of course it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa and the big man was busy all day, snapping selfies on his sleigh.
Switch On Time
The weather couldn’t have been any better – dry and still with hardly a breeze blowing. But of course in December clear skies = cold weather. Bitterly cold all day! But the atmosphere was really warm, with everyone enjoying a really happy community event. With stalls and fundraising packing up in time to enjoy the switch on moment, the entertainment carried on at the Christmas tree near Poundland.
The brilliant Fylde Ukulele Network played and sang Christmas songs for the crowd to join in, then it was time for the big switch on.
Ta-dah – Cleveleys is bright and shiny for the Christmas season! Watch the highlights of the afternoon in this video –
Fundraising at the Christmas Switch On!
Thank you for supporting Care for Cleveleys – we’re raising funds for this years and next years Christmas Lights – and other upcoming projects. On the day our own Care for Cleveleys merchandise was be available to buy. PLUS the new 2024 Cleveleys Calendars. It’s all going fast and once it’s gone it’s gone!
There was home baking, tombolas and even a jumble stall. All money raised goes straight into the kitty. This event raised just over £1000.
You can donate at this link
The Cleveleys Town Centre Group events programme has received £60k from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
To finish the day off the 20+ volunteers who’d organised it all trooped off to the Tramway to enjoy a hot Christmas dinner! It’s a fabulous group and a great way to make new friends! Pop along and find out more about volunteering and how to join in. Don’t forget to follow Care for Cleveleys on Facebook for all the latest news
Provisional Timetable – subject to change:
- 9am – Raffle tickets available to buy to pick the person to turn on the lights!
- 10am – craft stalls open
- 11am – Care for Cleveleys fundraising stalls open in central area
- 12-4pm – FREE face painting (even for adults!) and FREE kids make-and-take craft workshop (both until 4pm)
- 12-4pm – have fun with Adrian Catch – throughout the afternoon (with short breaks)
- 12-12.45pm – Jimmy Juggle will be roaming the town centre, performing his tricks!
- 12.30-1pm – pose for a seasonal selfie with the Cocky Robins – follow them around town!
- 1pm – Geoff Sings – outside Iceland
- 1.30-2.15pm – Jimmy Juggle will be roaming again – can you juggle with him?
- 2pm – Manor Beach School Choir perform
- 2-2.30pm – those Cocky Robins will be walking about again – make sure to get a selfie with them!
- 2.30-4.30pm – the biggest two Christmas Crackers will be out on the high street, entertaining the crowds!
- 3-3.45pm – pass the baton for Jimmy Juggle!
- 3.30pm – enjoy Christmas music at Poundland end with the magic Christmas Tree and Snowman!
- 3.45-4.15pm – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without robins – and the Cocky Robins will be spreading more Christmas Cheer
- 4pm – The BIG draw of todays raffle to pick the switch on winner!
- 4.05pm – Fylde Ukulele Network – join in and have a good old Christmas sing-song!
- 4.30pm – Rev Graham Young from St Andrews Church sharing festive blessings
- 4.35pm – Audience countdown and Switch On moment with the raffle winner putting the lights on
- Event close
Free Parking
Wyre Council supported the Christmas Switch On in Cleveleys on Saturday 2 December with FREE parking from 2pm.