THE STREETS were thronged with thousands of shoppers on Sunday as Petersfield put on its best festive face.
The Christmas Market – a firm favourite on the town’s calendar of annual events – pulled in the crowds again with almost a hundred stalls, a feast of festive fare and all-day live entertainment.
Santa was the VIP, of course, arriving in an open topped car driven by one of his helper elves, before giving out presents to youngsters in his grotto in Rams Walk.
Organisers say they “lucked out” with the weather this year, with visitors enjoying the sunshine while they browsed stalls lining the High Street, Chapel Street and Rams Walk.
“It was absolutely awesome, with thousands of visitors in town. Words is spreading and it gets busier and busier every year,” enthused co-organiser Steve Jacobs of Hometown Festivals.
Pubs in town also had reported a brisk trade all day.
The festival is run in conjunction with Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, and quality, locally-sourced Christmas food and drink with all the trimmings could be found on stalls in The Square. Everything from sausages and sweets to cheese and chutneys was on offer, and shoppers enjoyed refreshments including mulled wine and Spanish street food too.
Children loved the cute animals in Millers Ark Living Nativity, and Strawberry Dan was up to his usual entertaining antics.
Proud parents watched as children from Petersfield Infant School, Herne Junior School, The Petersfield School and Stagecoach Liphook performed on stage while more festive sounds came from the Southdown Ukelele Band.
The Salvation Army Band played in three locations, and the Rock Choir popped up in a ‘flash mob’ around town.
Signs advertising the festival were taken down immediately afterwards by Steve and co-organiser Ben Errey and the pair are encouraging others in a Facebook campaign to do the same to keep the town looking tidy.