Christmas lights switch-on goes virtual in Athlone
The festive season is normally kicked off in style with the switching on of the town's colourful Christmas lights and a party-like atmosphere. Like lots of areas of life, it has been forced to move online this year because of Covid-19 but organisers are still promising a fun show with Santa down to do the honours.
Everyone is being encouraged to log onto Athlone Festivals and Events Project Group on Facebook on Tuesday, December 1 at 7pm to watch enjoy proceedings and see the town burst into colour for Christmas.
Chairman of the Athlone Festival & Events Project Group Group, Shay Hamilton, has said that work is progressing very well in erecting the 2020 Christmas lights display for Athlone.
“We have a contractor on board who worked hard during inclement weather conditions to get the lights erected on time.
Our group has the responsibility of erecting these lights throughout Athlone and now thankfully, we are coming to near the final stages of the job for 2020,” said Shay, adding that the group has purchased significant festive infrastructure last year to enhance the town for various celebration events throughout the year.
He thanked the members of the group who gave up a lot of their time to make this project a success and also expressed gratitude to Jackie Finney and Pat Nally from Athlone Municipal District for their endless support.
Cllr Frankie Keena, who is secretary of the group, stated that there was a marvellous reaction to the Christmas Lights Display in 2019 and everyone is looking forward to the display again this year. The two 30-foot Christmas trees are a major attraction and are ideal locations to take that family photograph.
"This year the switch-on ceremony will be carried out online thanks to Aidan Higgins, and we have Santa Claus as our special guest to do the honours.
“We are so grateful to the schools who have sent in some video clips to use during the event. It is going to be a fun show and we encourage everyone to log onto Athlone Festival & Events Facebook Page to view it."
As in previous years, the Athlone Switching on Lights committee has done great work in organising this event led by Caoimhe O’Connell and Mayor Aengus O’Rourke, added Cllr Keena.
While it's unfortunate that the usual outdoor event cannot take place, Athlone's Mayor Cllr Aengus O'Rourke said that won't stop us from making a great occasion of it.
“I invited Santa to come to Athlone to switch on the lights on December 1st at 7pm and he accepted.
In order to comply with public health guidelines he is not travelling with his elves this year, he said he will be on his own.
And, we are delighted that he has chosen Athlone as one of the few places he is visiting this year,” the Mayor said.
The show starts at 7pm on Tuesday, December 1 on the Athlone Festival & Events Project Group Facebook Page.