Folkestone Town Mayor, Cllr Nicola Keen (centre) joins the Lights Switch On crew Photo: Ray Duff…

Words and pictures by Ray Duff… Folkestone  town centre was thronged last Saturday by thousands of people attending the annual Christmas lights-switch on. 

The Folkestone Academy students band perform on the stage Photo: Ray Duff…

At 3.30pm the show began at the stage, which this year was placed in the middle of the precinct area facing the Town Hall.

Crowds packed around the stage enjoying the entertainment Photo: Ray Duff…

A series of musical, comedy and dance routines were performed by initially local Primary schools; including from Studio Six, Chloe Scott’s Dance for Fun Group, Pikachu & Dragon;  followed by the Folkestone Academy students band, fun family competitions and all intersperced by appearances by Bodger the badger and the Academy FM ‘fox’ alongside their music station.

 Folkestone Town hall and Xmas tree, lit up Photo: Ray Duff…

Later in the afternoon, Father Christmas, left from near the Clifton Hotel, for the annual sleigh ride and lantern parade down the Leas to arrive at the performance area, accompanied also by ‘Santasaurus and Dino- babies from Rentadinosaur, to arrive to a warm welcome by the crowds.

All ages enjoying the fireworks display Photo: Ray Duff

After further performances, Folkestone Town Mayor, Cllr Nicola Keen, was joined by cast members of the Leas Cliff Hall panto ‘Aladdin’, Bodger the badger, and Academy ‘fox’  to lead the countdown to the main lights switch on at 7pm.

Sandgate Road precinct Xmas lights Photo: Ray Duff…

Many people then proceeded to the Harbour area to await the spectacular fireworks display, the location of which had been kept secret, but turned out to be launched from high on East Cliff over the Sunny sands area.

East Cliff and Sunny sands shoreline lit up by the fireworks Photo: Ray Duff…

By Ed

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