Christmas in Hull given an extra buzz at lights switch-on
07/11/2013
Christmas spirit will arrive in Hull next week as a 45ft tall tree is installed in Queen Victoria Square ready for the annual Christmas Lights switch-on.
This year, Hull's very own Bee Lady Jean Bishop will assist the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Nadine Fudge, in doing the honours of illuminating the city centre on Thursday, November 14 at 6.45pm.
Spectators will be treated to music and entertainment, compered by Darren Lethem, between 5pm and 7pm. It will include performances from X Factor star Ryan Mathie, Leroy Vickers, who will perform classical songs, and Madonna tribute act Caroline Seymour.
Throughout the day people will be able to get into the Christmas spirit with a Santa's grotto complete with real reindeer on King Edward Street from 3pm to 8pm. There will also be entertainment throughout the day with stilt-walking elves and Christmas angels.
Providing a suitable centrepiece to the events in Queen Victoria Square will be the huge Christmas tree, a Sitka Spruce, which will arrive from the Kielder Forest in Northumberland. The tree, which weights around 1.75tonnes, is thought to be up to 30 years old. It will arrive on the back of an articulated lorry on Tuesday and will be lifted into place using a hi-ab arm mounted on the lorry ready to shine in Thursday's switch-on event.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: "This is always a magical time of year and as soon as those lights in Queen Victoria Square get switched on it really does herald the start of Christmas. The switch-on is an ideal chance for families to come together to enjoy a great range of festive entertainment."
