One of the highlights in Barton’s calendar of events takes place on Saturday when the annual Christmas Festival takes over the town centre streets.
Organised by the Barton upon Humber Town Council’s Community Regeneration Committee the Festival will include live entertainment, children’s rides, craft and charity stalls and the traditional Carol Service, beginning at 5.30pm, which precedes the official switch-on of the Christmas tree lights by Town Mayor, Cllr Dorothy Pearson.
Two highlights of the day are the Community and Lantern Parades which both process from The Ropewalk through the streets to the town centre.
The Community Parade which leaves Maltkiln Road at 3pm features Father Christmas pulled by his team of reindeer, the Bernese Pennine Carter Dogs, the Lincolnshire Majorette Troop and members of the Potty Panto Players and the South Bank Players pantomime.
Two hours later, at 5pm, and as darkness falls the Lantern Parade heads off from The Ropewalk for the town centre. This will be the first opportunity to see the lanterns, large and small, which this year has the theme Dinosaurs and Dragons. Built during the October half-term holidays the Lantern Parade has been sponsored by the Town Council and LEADER.
The Festival stage is once again at the junction of King Street and High Street with Viking FM’s Paul Foster and Rose Madison acting as Masters of Ceremony for acts which includes Barton’s Rushby Dance and Fitness, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Grace Bower and Duck Egg Theatre.