Christmas in Fordingbridge is looking to be a star attraction this year with an afternoon of activities for all the family including steam rides across the bridge, a Santa procession and Harry Redknapp switching on the Christmas lights.
The event will take place from 4-8pm on Saturday 30th November and is being organised, run and funded by Fordingbridge Events Group on behalf of Fordingbridge Town Council.
Christmas in Fordingbridge will kick off at 4pm with a procession of Trigger the Train and the elves on heavy horse delivering Santa from the post office to his grotto at Avonway Community Centre (free entry).
Later in the evening from 7.20pm, the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on by Harry Redknapp, who will share some information on why Fordingbridge has a place in his heart. Activities in town throughout the evening include street performers, live music as well as steam rides across the bridge.
There will be performances from:
- Alis Eaton
- Kez Hinton
- Bring It On Home band
- Hyde Band
- Shake Dance
- Sandy Balls puppet show
- Forres Sandle Manor choir
There will also be a clothes swap and book signing at Fordingbridge Library and All the Cool Stuff’s Star Wars event at the Town Hall.
Nicky Jenkins, Chair of Fordingbridge Events Group, says: “I would like to thank all of the committee, volunteers, sponsors of the Fordingbridge festival and the following businesses who have helped shaped our event this year – it’s looking very sparkly indeed!”
Christmas in Fordingbridge has been supported by:
- Alfa Display and Design
- Caxtons
- Cracknell Timber
- Fordingbridge Town Council
- Rotary
- Padua Communications
- Crownshade
- DK Sanders Electrical Services
- Girlings
- Created By You
- The Gourmet Grocer
- Timothy’s
- Hearts at Homecare
- La Lambretta
- RNC Fabrications
- Elliotts
- The Burgate School
- Forres Sandle Manor
- Fordingbridge Sports Club
- Fordingbridge Salvation Army
- Fordingbridge Library
- Café 100.
Approximate timings for the evening
4.00pm
The event will start with a procession of Trigger the Train followed by Santa on heavy horse to his grotto at Avonway Community Centre. The procession will start at Salisbury Street, travel along the High Street and down to Avonway Community Centre.
4.30 – 8pm
Santa’s grotto is open (free entry)
6pm
Announcement of local hero nominated by the people of the town
6.30
Shake Dance performance near the Town Hall
6.45
Hyde Band performance
From 7.20pm
Harry Redknapp switches on the Xmas lights in the market place
Additional parking
As well as the town car parks (which will be free after 6pm), there will be additional free parking at:
- Fordingbridge Sports club
- Forres Sandle Manor (FSM)
- The Burgate School
There will be free shuttle buses running from The Burgate School and FSM from 3pm. The last shuttle bus leaving Fordingbridge will be at 8.30pm.
What’s not for sale competition with amazing prizes
This year sees a new Xmas window competition in town. Check out the shop windows and spot the object that’s not usually for sale.
Entry forms for the window competition will be available from 30th November from:
- The Gourmet Grocer
- The Fordingbridge Bookshop
- Caxtons
- Fordingbridge Tourist Info Office
- Created by You
The competition will run until the end of December and prizes include:
- Free gym membership at Sandy Balls for one year
- A two night stay at Sandy Balls (subject to availability)
- A gift voucher for two people to attend the New Forest Water Park (May 2020 onwards),
- A voucher for a family alpaca walk at Sandy Balls
- A Gold Membership of The Regal Cinema.