8:43am Tuesday 17th November 2009
FORMER EastEnders star Shane Richie will join X-Factor hopeful Daniel Pearce in switching on the Christmas Lights tonight – as the count down to Christmas gets under way.
The Aladdin star will press the plunger with the High Wycombe singer, Santa Claus and High Wycombe town mayor Julie Pritchard at 7.30pm in Frogmoor after a Christmas Light Parade through the town centre by 150 school children.
BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Luke Ashmead will act as compère for the evening, which also features performances from the Kobika Dance cheerleaders and stilt walkers.
While south Bucks choirs will be battling it out for £3,000 in the first round of the hotly contested Eden Christmas Choir Competition between 5-7pm.
The switch on also marks the beginning of late night Christmas shopping and a series of festive family fun events on the following four Thursdays in the run up to Christmas.
The events have been organised by the High Wycombe Town Partnership and town centre manger Melanie Williams has urged residents to get involved with in the celebrations.
She said: “We are really excited about this year’s switch on, this is the first year we have had a main sponsor and are thrilled ASDA have been helping support this years events, enabling us to add new and dynamic elements to the programme.
“This year’s parade will include over 150 children from our local community who have been learning new skills and who will be displaying their new creations on the evening, we hope you will come and be a part of it, support High Wycombe and above all have fun.”
On Thursday, December 3, a French market will be selling delicious pastries in the High Street alongside a performance from the Tuffney Dance Academy. While Siberian Huskies will be taking shoppers for a sleigh ride down Church Street.
The following three Thursdays includes story telling from the famous Roald Dahl Museum, continental markets, festive music and performances by local schools and bands.
Shoppers will also benefit from free parking in Wycombe District Council owned car parks on Thurday December, 3, 10 and 17.
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