Santa journeys on through the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough
Mon, November 30, 2015
Santa journeys on through the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough
With the festive season well underway, Santa continues his busy journey around the Causeway Coast and Glen’s Borough to switch on the Christmas lights. In the coming week Santa has a very busy schedule as he stops off in the coastal towns of Portrush and Ballycastle on Thursday 3rd and Portstewart on Friday 4th of December. Following a good night’s rest he is off again on Sat 5th December to Portballintrae, before turning inland to the market towns of Kilrea and Garvagh.
Council has planned festive entertainment in each town or village to celebrate his arrival, including music, carol singing from local choirs and many more activities for all ages. Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan commented,
“I hope everyone will come and enjoy the Christmas Light Switch on celebrations as this is an important time for all communities to come together and celebrate with their extended family and friends. Both the Deputy Mayor and I look forward to supporting Santa on his busy schedule throughout the Causeway Coast and Glen’s Borough and meeting the communities as we go”.
On Thursday 3rd December, Ballycastle’s lights will be illuminated and there will be a selection of festive entertainment in The Diamond, hosted by DJ Jake. Festivities will begin at 6.30pm with carol singing from Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School joint choir. There will also be a festive performance by local drama group, Quadrangle Productions. Santa will be arriving shortly after 7pm in order to turn on the lights, alongside Councillor Margaret-Anne McKillop, at 7.15pm. Santa’s schedule continues as he will make his way to his Grotto where he will distribute a small pre-Christmas gift to children of primary school age accompanied by an adult.
Santa will then be flying his trusted reindeers over to Portrush on the same evening where local entertainer Mark Connolly from Beatz Entertainment will host the evening of festivities. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Darryl Wilson and Santa will switch on the Christmas Lights. The event will take place at Station Square Portrush from 6.30pm with children from local primary schools singing festive tracks to add to the atmosphere. A festive sketch is also planned by members of Portrush Theatre Company. A true community feel will be added to the evening with the local retail sector extending some festive refreshment to all those enjoying the event. Santa will commence his journey around the Town at 7pm with his trusted Clydesdale horses, returning to Station Square to switch on the Christmas lights alongside the Deputy Mayor at 7.30pm.
The festivities continue in the seaside town of Portstewart on Friday 4th December when Santa and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Darryl Wilson arrive to light up the town at 5pm. This is an earlier lighting up ceremony than usual, so it is hoped the local community will come out and support the event and their local retailers who will be open for business during these hours. Local man Brian Moore will take to the stage from 4pm hosting some fun and games with festive characters before the big countdown.
Santa, who will once again be travelling with his trusted Clydesdale horses will make his way along the promenade to The Crescent, where accompanied by the Deputy Mayor, he will switch on the Christmas Lights at 5pm.
Following two very busy days, Santa will continue his tour of the Borough on Saturday 5th December as he makes his way to Portballintrae before heading inland to the market town of Kilrea.
The festive amusement in Portballintrae commences from 2pm at the Bayview Hotel where Buddy the clown will provide some laughter before Santa arrives on his Clydesdale horses at around 2.45pm. At 4pm Santa will lead the annual children’s procession from the Bayview Hotel to Portballintrae Harbour where they will turn on the village lights. Further details of the programme are available from Fran Milligan of Portballintrae Residents Association on 028 2073 1868.
Santa will then make a magical trip through the evening sky to the market town of Kilrea to switch on the Christmas lights and meet the community. Festive characters will visit the town to meet and greet the children while they await Santa’s arrival. Beatz Entertainment will be there to host the event, operating in the Diamond from 4pm. A mix of festive tracks and carol singing from Crossroads Primary School, Kilrea Primary School and St. Columba's Primary School will entertain the crowds before Santa’s arrival at 4.55pm. Santa and the Mayor, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan will push the switch to light up the town for the festive season at 5pm. Santa’s busy schedule will continue as he will make his way to his grotto, distributing a small early Christmas present to children of primary school age accompanied by an adult.
After having a few well-earned days off, Santa will then makes his way to Garvagh, on Wednesday 9th December. The Christmas Light switch on celebrations will begin at 6.30pm with entertainment provided by Beatz Entertainment at the new location of Bridge Street car park. Children from local primary schools, Carhill Intergrated Primary School and Gorran Primary School will take to the stage, performing some Christmas Carols adding to the programme of entertainment. Santa will be joined by Mayor, Councillor Michelle Knight- McQuillan to switch on the lights at 7.30pm.
ENDS