THE FESTIVE season started with a bang in Guiseley as fireworks lit up the sky to celebrate the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights display on Sunday.
Thousands of people turned up on Towngate to peruse stalls selling Christmas gifts and raising money for local good causes.
The event included a fairground and Santa’s Grotto and sleigh. Entertainment was provided on stage throughout the day, with the headline act Guiseley band Elephant Trees, fresh back from their tour including stops in Barcelona and the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Codswallop CIC brought elf madness to the event, as well as Santa’s Post Box and a pom-pom snowball fight.
Jacob Phillips Artistic Director of Codswallop CIC said: “We’re so delighted to have the opportunity to bring accessible activities to the Guiseley Lights Switch On, and just bring people together through fun and mischief. Seeing the delight on everyone’s faces- young and old- makes all the hard work completely worthwhile.”
This year has also seen the introduction of new community competitions, with groups asked to decorate a tree for display in St Oswald’s Church and businesses asked to decorate their shop windows. Votes can be cast at www.guiseleylights.co.uk and winners of the new Guiseley Lights trophies will be announced on Christmas Eve.
Lisa Gallagher, the BBC weather presenter and her daughter joined the Lord Mayor of Leeds Graham Latty `and Lady Mayoress Pat Latty, who pushed the plunger to light up the town following a countdown by the crowds.
This year’s display has seen new additions including 1.2 km of lights on buildings along Otley Road, a new star at White Cross roundabout and a manger and nativity scene at the cross on Towngate.
Guiseley’s MP Stuart Andrew said: “Our event just gets better and better and the whole team have worked so hard. The displays are brilliant and despite the hard work it’s been great fun too.”
Anyone wanting to support the fundraising for the lights can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/guiseleylights
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