Becky Switches On Town's Christmas Lights
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Family and friends look on proudly as 11 years old Becky Colsh raises the wand to officially turn on the Christmas lights in O'Connor Square on Sunday evening last. TT486119
WITH a wave of her wand 11 years old Becky Colsh officially switched on Tullamore's Christmas lights display on Sunday evening last.
Becky was cheered on by family and friends and the thousands of people who packed O'Connor Square for the gala occasion.
Santa Claus and his entourage also arrived in a beautifully crafted sleigh and were escorted dow High St by members of Tullamore Town Band and St Colmcille's Pipe before the official switch-on.
Meanwhile, on the reviewing platform in the Square members of the Shalom Folk Group entertained the large crowd with renditions of popular Christmas carols such as 'Silent Night' and 'Away in a Manger'.
Prior to the official launch the lights were blessed by members of the local clergy suitably attired in Santa hats for the occasion.
Speaking at the event Cllr Sinead Dooley, Cathaoirleach of the Town Council, said the turning on of the lights marked the official beginning of the Christmas season in Tullamore.
She urged those gathered for the event to conduct as much of their seasonal shopping as possible in Tullamore so as to support local businesses.
The President of Tullamore Chamber of Commerce, Joe O'Brien paid tribute to the members of the Community Christmas Lights Group who oversee the erection of the lights and raise finance to cover the cost of the lights.
He also stressed the importance of keeping business local so as to protect jobs and business.
The Community Christmas Lights group is backed by a number of local organisations including the Town Council, Tullamore Traders, Tullamore Vintners Association and the Chamber of Commerce.
Anne Starling, chairperson of the group said the lights were extremely expensive to erect and maintain and she appealed to all businesses to generously support the venture.
A number of fund-raising events, including bag packing in local shopping centres, will take place in the lead up to Christmas.
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