FAMILIES, couples and friends in their hundreds packed Petersfield Square to enjoy the 2016 town centre Christmas Light switch on.
Some shops stayed open late, and pubs did a roaring trade as the town embraced the occasion, put on by Petersfield Town Council and local organisations such as Petersfield Festivals.
And the crowd got behind the countdown to pushing the on switch, and as ‘one’ was reached Petersfield Mayor James Deane and Mark Read, former pop singer with 1990s band A1, lit up the town.
Light displays along The High Street, around The Square, including the Christmas tree, and on Chapel Street to Lavant Street came one, much to the enjoyment of the watching crowd.
The event on Friday, November 25, got underway at about 5pm with choirs from Petersfield Infants School, Herne Junior School and The Petersfield School, marking the Christmas celebration with carols and songs.
The youngsters were followed by the Rock Choir and Petersfield Salvation Army Band, who added to the festive atmosphere while families enjoyed the charity stalls and food stands around The Square.
After the light switch on, singer Mark Read -- who is leading this year’s cast of Santa Claus -- The Musical, at Portsmouth’s New Theatre Royal -- performed songs from the panto live on stage.
This year the lights were provided by organisations including Petersfield Town Council, and the switch on event was organised by Ben Errey and Steve Jacobs of Petersfield Festivals.
Visit Petersfield Festivals website www.petersfieldfest.com for details of forthcoming events the team are organising in the town. Visit the New Theatre Royal website www.newtheatreroyal.com for panto details.