It’s take two for Hamilton’s big Christmas switch-on this Saturday – with a new light-up event having been swiftly planned after wintry weather curtailed last week’s celebration plans.
The town’s festive lights will be illuminated by hometown hero and Paralympic champion Steph McGuire in a special ceremony under the Christmas tree on Quarry Street at 4.30pm on November 30, with a programme of entertainment running throughout the afternoon.
Hamilton’s new plans come after much of last weekend’s originally-planned festivities had to be cancelled or moved indoors due to the snow and high winds of Storm Bert, which led to the cancellation of similar festive events across Scotland.
Organisers from business improvement group Hamilton Our Town have pulled out all the stops to rearrange a new pop-up switch-on ceremony for this Saturday.
Local singing star William Boyle will host an afternoon of entertainment on the town-centre stage from 1pm, supported by Juniors play cafe – and of course featuring a visit from Santa.
Gold medal-winning boccia star Steph will then switch on the Christmas lights in the culmination of the new celebration at the town centre’s top cross; and any late changes to the plans due to on-the-day weather conditions will be posted on social media.
Malcolm Thomas-Harley of Hamilton Our Town said: “We’re excited to bring people this festive celebration, thanks to our dedicated team who made it happen at short notice and against the odds.
“Whilst we won’t have our market or the parade this time, we hope people will join us under the Christmas tree for the rescheduled light switch-on to cheer on our town, honour Hamilton hero Stephen McGuire, and support our town centre and shop local.”
Last weekend’s originally-planned celebrations including a planned parade starring Santa, musicians and a range of performers had to be cancelled on the day due to the poor weather conditions – the subject of a weather warning across much of Scotland and official advice to avoid non-essential travel.
With the cancellation of all outdoor events, organisers instead moved the stalls of the popular craft market inside to the Regent Centre, where a performance space was also set up for a host of entertainers.
The event was hosted by drag queen legend Garry King, and Christmas shoppers were treated to entertainment including LED performances from Think Circus, juggling and magic from The Juggling Gent, plus performances from An Abba Dream and students from Valerie Brown school of dance.
Malcolm added: “We were pleased to be able to offer an alternative indoor festive event given the weather conditions that prevented the light switch-on, one of very few community events that went ahead last weekend.
“This was thanks to significant planning and work from our team, and we thank everyone involved including the local community that came indoors to see our event, our main sponsor Cala Homes and our wonderful local businesses for their support.”
Hamilton’s festive programme is being supported by both Cala and local firm Scullion Law.
Markets will again take place at the Regent Centre on Saturdays December 7 and 21 – accompanied by sold-out pop-up panto The Wizard of Oz on the former date and then a town centre trail featuring Santa on the weekend before Christmas.
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