THE MAGIC of Christmas came to town as shoppers thronged Petersfield’s streets for the annual festive market.
The regular Hampshire farmers’ market in The Square was complemented with commercial stalls, others run by charitable groups, children’s rides, refreshments of all sorts and, of course, Father Christmas.
High Street, Rams Walk and Chapel Street were crowded all day on December 3 as people came from miles around to see what was on offer under the sparkling lights.
The event was organised by Steve Jacob and Ben Errey, of Hometown Festivals, who also organise the spring and summer town centre entertainment events each year.
Steve said: “We had the most stalls attend we have ever had with more than 100 amazing traders who, by the sounds of the feedback, had an awesome day of trading with many of them selling out of stock which they had planned to cover them for the whole of the festive period
“So a huge thank you from us to all our visitors for being so generous and buying so many items, ensuring our traders will be back at future events.
“With the great winter weather holding out for us, numbers of visitors seemed to be up from last year too with thousands of people filling the streets throughout from 9am through to 3pm when the crowds gathered to line the streets to watch Santa travel through on his sleigh.
“With the reach of the event growing in reputation each year, we overheard there were visitors attending from as far afield as Reading, Egham and Hemel Hempstead and they are going to recommend it to their friends to attend next year.
“We are still collating data from charities attending, but we are aware that Petersfield Round Table made almost £500 from putting on the Santa’s Grotto in Ram’s Walk.
“The entertainment zone saw performances from many schools performing Christmas carols and other musical groups and choirs entertaining the crowds with a different performance every 30 minutes while the festival was on,” added Steve, who also thanked all the business sponsors and helpers on the day.