New Christmas lights set to be switched on this weekend

A fantastic new Christmas lights display for Athlone is set to be switched on this weekend in the town's Civic Square.

Chairperson of Athlone Festival & Events Group, Shay Hamilton, is very much looking forward to the event this Sunday, November 24, where entertainment will be provided from 4pm to 6pm, thanks to the Athlone 'Switching On Christmas Lights 2019' committee.
This year the newly-formed Athlone Festival & Events Group is taking the lead on the provision of not only a new Christmas lighting display but also the purchase of twelve timber market cabins and festival bunting, banners and flags. There will also be the provision of permanent all-year-round lighting on some key trees throughout the town. This overall €200,000 investment will definitely be of great assistance in promoting and marketing Athlone on an ongoing basis, Mr Hamilton added.
Welcoming the news, Mayor Frankie Keena said that this massive investment in festival and events infrastructure for Athlone will, firstly add to the ambiance and attractiveness of town as a tourist destination, which in turn will increase footfall for our business sectors.
"Secondly, it will enhance the town for the benefit for the local community. The implementation of such a project will also be of assistance to the IDA in attracting new industries to the town," he said.
Mayor Keena thanked the Athlone Festival & Events Group which is representative of community groups in the Athlone area who provide various festivals throughout the year, Athlone Chamber of Commerce and the business sector, Leader programme, LCDC and Westmeath County Council for all their advice and financial support with this project.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, chair of the ‘Switching on Christmas Lights 2019’ committee, said he and the committee are looking forward to launching the new lights in style on next Sunday.
"Last year 1,000 people joined us to turn on the Christmas lights, this year we are expecting more. We have a great programme, new entertainment, new lights and a few surprises too. Next Sunday promises to be a fantastic start to Christmas 2019 in Athlone," he added.