As present Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions persist, the annual switching on of the Christmas lights in Athlone will take place virtually on Tuesday, December 1.
The Athlone Festival and Events Project Group, who brought significant festive infrastructure last year to enhance the town for the Christmas period, are in the throes of completing the installation of this year’s illuminations and are liaising with a dedicated contractor who has worked through inclement conditions to ensure the online occasion will occur on December 1.
“There was such a positive reaction to our Christmas Lights display in 2019 and we are looking forward to illuminating our town once again this year. The two 30ft Christmas trees are a major attraction and are ideal scenic locations in which to take a festive photograph.
“It is so important to go beyond the call of duty to try and make this Christmas as enjoyable as possible as we go through this public health pandemic and this group under the leadership of Shay Hamilton and watchful eye of our treasurer Damien Delaney will deliver on their promise.
“This year, the switching on ceremony will be hosted online, with particular thanks to Aidan Higgins, and we have Santa Claus as our special guest to do the necessary honours. We are so grateful to the schools who have sent in some video clips to use during the event. It will be a fun show and we encourage everyone to log onto the Athlone Festival and Events Facebook Page to view it.
As in previous years the Athlone Switching on Lights committee have performed great work in organising this event, led by Caoimhe O’Connell and our Town Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke,” Cllr. Frankie Keena, Athlone Festival and Events Project Group, remarked.
Echoing similar sentiments, Town Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, noted his disappointment that the annual event could not proceed publicly due to present health and safety guidelines as the annual festive lights illumination ceremony had gathered much traction in recent times.
“In light of the current restrictions we have been forced to take our celebrations online this year. For the past three years, together with the help of volunteers, I have organised the ‘Switching on of the Christmas Lights’ party in the Civic Square and during this time we have witnessed more and more members of the public joining in the celebrations as the event grows in popularity. Last year more than 1000 people came to the centre of our town to view the show and witness Santa arrive by Garda escort and switch on the lights across Athlone.
“Unfortunately, this year, due to public health guidance, and given the restrictions that are in place, we are forced to cancel our plans for an outdoor event. However, that won’t stop us from making an occasion of it! I have invited Santa to come to Athlone to switch on the lights on Tuesday, December 1 at 7pm and he gladly accepted.
“In order to comply with public health guidelines he is not travelling with his elves this year, he said he will be on his own and we are delighted that he has chosen Athlone as one of the few places he is visiting this year.
“We have arranged to record the event and broadcast it live on Facebook, so everyone can tune in and join in the celebrations courtesy of our Facebook page @Athlone Festivals and Events Project Group,” Cllr. O’Rourke concluded.
