Congleton's Christmas Light Switch-on and Lantern Parade 2022 was held on Friday 25th November and was a great fun evening for hundreds of children and families.

There were nearly 200 people in the lantern parade which left Back Street Car park, paraded down Lawton Street and through the High Street to reach the stage by the Christmas Tree for Santa and his young Ukrainian helper to turn on the lights at 6.00pm. A special feature this year were the real Cairngorm Reindeer who were visited by lots of young people and families throughout the evening. There was local entertainment from 4pm from the small stage by the tree and in the pedestrian area by Elizabeth’s statue. There were a variety of Charity stalls, gift stalls and some pop-up street food in the pedestrian area and many local businesses had stalls and activities set up out the front of their premises.

Santa was inundated in his grotto in the Town Hall with 250 visitors who had all written a letter to give to him in person. People queued patiently for up to 40 minutes as the evening came to a close. They also received a gift all of which was organised by Marks events who now run the Town Hall events.

Thanks to everyone who came to the workshops for the Saturdays beforehand and made very creative lanterns including a gorgeous polar bear to carry in the grand lantern parade, led by the Karamba samba drummers.

Thanks as always to all the volunteers whose hard work on the day and leading up to the day, made the event the success it was

We have a great variety of venues in town now, some of whom became established because of the Congleton Food and Drink Festival. Barley Hops first had a stall at the Festival and were so successful and liked the town so much they opened a bottle Shop in Swan Bank. At this year’s Festival they benefited from their new location in the centre of town which was heaving all day. Rumba in Swan Bank easily filled their Oktober benches and tables throughout the day as did the new venue Higher Ground, owners of which first came to the Food Festival trading as Levant Mediterranean food.

The festival was a great opportunity for the recently refurbished Capital Walk centre. Boteco Brazilian wasted no time in setting up a street food stall out the front and brought along a wonderful Brazilian guitarist to add to the atmosphere. Owner of the new Congleton venture admitted that he was inspired by the Food and Drink Festival when it first began and had always wanted to open a venue selling street food from all over the world. And now we have such a place in town where we can enjoy street food all year round.

It’s a great community Street Festival made possible by a hard working and dedicated team of volunteers who make the event the great success that it is.

Cheshire Marshals

– part of the managing committee to recruit and train volunteers to be community event marshals. Find out more at www.cheshiremarshals.co.uk