Countdown to Christmas Lights in Maidenhead

The countdown to this year's Christmas lights switch-on event in Maidenhead on November 29 is reaching its climax.

Preparations have been finalised for the big event, in what is shaping up to be a feast of festive entertainment.

Festivities start with a traditional Farmers Market during the day in the High Street until 5pm and a classical fun-fair by Traylens in the High Street and St Ives Road until 8pm.

The Nicholsons Shopping Centre will feature a host of activities between 11.30am and 5pm including Milly and Molly's Christmas Tree Show, face-painting, clowns, balloon modellers and Santa Claus.

After party-goers have enjoyed the day-time activities, the Gentle Jazz Big Band will whip visitors into the Christmas spirit from 5pm, banging out some jazz beats prior to the switch-on at the town hall at 5.45pm.

The attention will then firmly focus on youngsters' Jake and Lainey Craythourne, of Fane Way, who will have the prestigious honour of flicking the switches on with Santa Claus to signal the official start of Christmas in Maidenhead.
The brother and sister won the exclusive right to dazzle the town centre after jointly winning a colouring competition for their masterpieces in the Advertiser.

The finale to the day's celebrations will be a sparkling pyrotechnics display high above Maidenhead, to cap off the festive extravaganza in the town centre.

*The Christmas Lights Committee is appealing to local businesses to support the switch-on event through donations, and in return they will be featured in the Maidenhead Advertiser.
To make a donation send a cheque payable to Maidenhead Christmas Lights to: Eddie Pearce, Chairman Maidenhead Christmas Lights Committee, c/o Maidenhead Advertiser, Newspaper House, 48 Bell Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1HX or contact Eddie Pearce on 01628 678200 or email at eddiep@baylismedia.co.uk