Santa in Laois for Christmas Lights big switch-on in Portlaoise
Downtown Portlaoise traders invite families to switch on the Christmas illuminations on Main Street
The Christmas buzz has already started in Portlaoise, and Downtown Portlaoise says the festive season will officially begin in the Laois town with the ‘Christmas Lights Big Switch On’.
Taking place on Friday, November 20, on the Lower Square on Main St, events get underway at 6 pm with Christmas carols.
This will be followed at 6.15 pm when MC Jack Nolan will introduce Laois County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, who will address all who have gathered.
Soon after, Santa will be introduced and chat to the children looking forward. Then at 6.30 pm Santa will switch on the town’s festive lights and the whole town will be sparkling.
As the town is glistening, the Laois Community Choir will serenade Santa to his sleigh for photos with families.
The lower section of Main St and Church Avenue will be closed from 3 pm that day to reopen at 9 pm. Local businesses and residents are asked to make alternative arrangements for their cars and vans for that short period. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
Downtown Portlaoise say they endeavour each year to deliver a fantastic lighting display in the town and love to extend the features as much as possible.
“This is a very important event for Portlaoise town at Christmas time. It shows how the town can work together as a community to deliver this event and help to kickstart the festive season. Downtown Portlaoise is a voluntary organisation, and I wish to thank all the committee for their work in the build-up to this exciting evening,” said Andrew Shaw, Chairperson of Downtown Portlaoise.
They thanked Connect Laois for assisting with light maintenance. The town’s traders group are also grateful to Laois County Council for assisting with erecting and removing the illuminations each year.
Thanks are also extended to Danny McNulty for his dedication, starting his work in early October up to Christmas, fitting, repairing and erecting our extensive lighting scheme.
Gratitude is also extended to the town’s businesses who contribute to the running costs and facilitate the lights being erected.
Mark Martley is also thanked for providing the stage, as is Tom Lacey of TopLay for the lit-up Arctic truck decked out for Christmas.
The support from Civil Defence, the Gardaí and local media is also appreciated.