News

 

Dungannon launched a very seasonal cracking Christmas this weekend in the town centre. 6,500 people thronged the town centre to enjoy the Christmas Fair and the switch-on of the festive lights.

The festivities kicked off with the launch of the Christmas Fair by the Mayor Cllr Kenneth Reid with special guest Joanne Salley. Visitors to the large Marquee in Market Square were tempted by a diverse range of high quality products from original local crafts, gifts and seasonal food which guaranteed that people found something special for a loved one in the run up to Christmas.

Children's entertainment, street performers, seasonal foodie treats and beautiful seasonal music of local silver bands and choirs added to the Christmas cheer over the weekend. Throughout the weekend there were dramatic performances by Camp Rock from St. Patrick's College as well as Priory Stage School performing excerpts from their forthcoming Aladdin pantomime.

On Saturday evening with the build up to the festive lights switch on Santa arrived via Scotch Street in his spectacular 50ft long festive truck to launch the Christmas season. Santa's motoring heavyweight was an extravaganza of festive illuminations and music and wowed the large crowd packed into Market Square.

Santa and his elves joined the Mayor, Joanne Salley and DJ Brian Nicholl on stage to help switch on the beautiful new festive lights and pick out the names of five lucky winners from Santa's Raffle. Prizes included an iPad 2, iPod touch, X Box 360, Kindle and a bicycle. After a tiring 4000 mile long journey from the North Pole, Santa and his elves walked to his grotto and handed out free selection boxes to children. On Sunday he was joined in his grotto by Mrs Claus to keep him company!

All of this coupled with late night shopping on Saturday and Sunday opening ensured that the seasonal start to Christmas in Dungannon was a cracker!

The Christmas Fair was organised by Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council in association with Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP) and Dungannon Traders Association.