THE COMMUNITY will come together to celebrate the start of Christmas as the festive lights display is switched on in Petersfield.
The town centre will light up with the spirit of Christmas when the annual lights switch-on takes place today?(Friday).
Mayor Jamie Matthews will be joined on stage by cast from Beauty and the Beast, who are performing at Portsmouth’s New Theatre Royal this Christmas.
Organised by Petersfield Town?Council and sponsored by Specsavers, the event gets under way at 5pm with the lights being switched on at 7pm.
Office manager at Petersfield Town?Council?Stephen?Field has helped to organise the event.
He said: “It’s very popular. It gets packed out which is nice. This year we are having the usual charity stalls.
“We are hoping that the shops will be open from the train station all the way round to the centre.”
Many shops will stay open late to encourage people to enjoy some Christmas shopping.
Pupils from schools, including Petersfield Infants, Herne Junior and The Petersfield School will sing carols in The Square.
Mr Field said it’s always a popular event in the town.
“I think we are fortunate to have a focal point in The Square.
“Traditionally, Petersfield has always had an event in The Square of some description. People just seem to be captured by that sense of anticipation and coming out and enjoying an event in the town.
“With the choirs singing, that brings a lot of parents in.
“Everyone just seems to be happy to be out in the town for the big Christmas lights switch-on.
“We are very fortunate in Petersfield that we have still got that big sense of being a community. It’s quite a small town so that helps. Traditionally, Petersfield folk have always been very community focused.”
Charity and community stalls will also be in attendance: Round Table, Petersfield Town Football Club, Petersfield Youth Theatre, Petersfield Lions, National Childbirth Trust and the King’s Arms.
A bar will be selling mulled wine and other drinks. Children’s rides will also be set up in?The Square.