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And there was light!
Friday, November 25, 2011
This year’s annual Christmas Lights switch on was a great success with people young and old flocking to see star of X Factor, Sami Brookes, throw the switch to light up Keighley, with Santa and other guests.
Crowds of around a thousand saw a personal appearance from Sami Brookes from this years X Factor Live Finals courtesy of the Airedale Shopping Centre.
Also appearing this year was Bjorn the Polar Bear with his handler, who gave two half hour interactive shows where children were able learn about the Polar bear’s habitat and environmental issues.
The Pulse road show provided the entertainment with local presenter Becky Holmes comparing the event which included girl group Disctracted, finalists from Live and Unsigned at the O2..
Keighley’s Mayor Cllr Tony Wright was in attendance with Keighley Cougars providing players lead by Jason Demetriou who were on stage taking part in various games and Colin Appleyards provided Goldwing motorcycles to escort Santa on his sleigh around the town before the switch on.
Town Centre Manager Philip Smith commented “The switch on was a great event and it was pleasure to see so many smiling faces. It was just the thing to get people into the festive spirit”. “We are very excited about the switch on in Keighley and would like to thank the businesses who supported the event”.
“There was something for the whole family, including the chance to get up close to Bjorn the Polar bear and to see Sami perform and of course to see Santa".
The switch on provided by Keighley Town Centre Association coincided with Keighley’s first late night shopping with more planned which will see the Airedale Shopping Centre open Thursdays until 8pm and Sundays 10:30am to 4:30pm on the run up to Christmas with the market and other businesses across the town opening late.
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