- Parade
- of Cheer
- Page 1 of 17. Article by
Dominic Bonner
- and Photos by Patrick Trollope.
-
THE ANNUAL Christmas Parade on November 17 fronted by Southport arts centre was deemed a massive success as people flocked to watch ongoing events and entertainment.
Hosted by Granada Television's Paul Crone and Radio Dune. Crowds trickled in from its 2pm start to blockade Lord Street with the laughter of the celebrations. A police estimate of some 30,000 people attended the extravaganza.
Acts ranging from Rebecca Jennings, Robbie Carter, Liverpool's Warm Audio and local group 'Lost', who performed their new single ' ' as they heated up their audience in the cold as many waited on for the Christmas feel of Southport's lights and the mile long parade procession.
Lord Street was blocked off as early evening drew in. Many watched in noted silence as the array of colourful characters in the parade played their musical instruments accompanied by marvellous pantomime actors who sprayed sweets to onlookers and children.
Many of the crowd stayed on to watch the Salvation Army serenade them through their carols as the Southport Mayor and Mayoress, Maria Nolan and Brookside actor Leon Lopez 'Jerome' lit up the whole of Southport with a Christmas Plunger to cue the Christmas lights and officially welcome Christmas and the prospect of a great new year.
We all should look forwarded to the Formby Lights turn on now! Well done to the Champion's Editor Martin Hogton for putting the building blocks to gather and running this fantastic show with the Xmas Lights Committee.
