Sasha to Switch on Bangor’s Lights

A lucky pupil from Rockport School will have another reason to celebrate Christmas this year after being chosen by North Down Borough Council to switch on Bangor’s Christmas Tree Lights.

Sasha Sharma, a year 6 pupil at Rockport entered the recent Junior Spectator competition to draw a Christmas tree and her beautiful creation was chosen by The Mayor as the lucky winner. As well as switching on the lights on November 17th, Sasha’s picture will also be used as the design for this year’s Mayor’s Christmas card.
The annual Christmas Light Switch On will commence at 5.30pm on Saturday, 17th November, when crowds will gather in Castle Park in front of The Town Hall to watch the skies above Bangor come alive with a spectacular fireworks display before the Christmas tree lights are ceremoniously switched on.

Commenting on the event, Alison Stobie, Tourism Manager, North Down Borough Council, said, “The switching on of the Bangor Christmas tree lights is the perfect event to make everyone in the family feel like the festive season has arrived, wrap up warmly and come along and enjoy the show.”
She went on to say; “On a more serious note, please make sure to follow all safety instructions on the night. As well as producing an amazing show, safety is our priority at this Christmas Show, so it is extremely important that you obey health & safety rules and co-operate fully with the marshals. Remember also that due to the volume of people it may be necessary to close some roads and the Omniplex cinema and leisure centre should be temporarily accessed from the Gransha Road between 5pm and 6pm.”

This year, a variety of food traders will also be on the site providing an array of hot food and beverages to stave off the cold. Treat yourself to a crepe, a baked potato or a coffee to keep warm whilst watching the fireworks.

Also commenting on the event, The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Wesley Irvine said: “I am really looking forward to Christmas in Bangor on November 17th and I’m delighted that such a worthy winner will be switching on the lights. Congratulations to Sasha on winning our competition and I am delighted to have her beautiful picture as my Christmas card this year.”

For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com