Hugo, fresh from his latest TV smash hits Bleak House and Sorted, has generously offered to do the biggest switch on yet which is the result of a four-year campaign by Harrogate and District Soroptimists to 're-light' Harrogate.

 

This year's event will be the best the town has ever seen thanks to renewed support from Harrogate businesses, Harrogate Council and Harrogate International Centre.  But the biggest support is coming from the Christmas and Gift show one of the conference centre's major customers who for the second year running will be bringing their traditional 'indoor exhibition' out on to the streets of Harrogate for all visitors and residents to enjoy.  And, this year, it will be bigger than before

 

Last year, the generosity of some of the UK's biggest Christmas lights companies led to a magical animated window display in the conference centre conservatory on Kings Road and a stunning lighting display around the conference centre buildings and including the Royal Hall. 

 

This year, these companies have been even more generous and are providing a more complex and stunning display, which will once again include the animated windows but this year the light show will be extended into Crescent Gardens.  The window displays and the light show will remain 'switched on' up to and during the dates of the 2007 show (14-18 January).

 

Mark Brett, Director of the company responsible for the Christmas and Gift Fair HITF Limited explains why they got involved.  "Our show previews hundreds of new Christmas decorations and gift ideas to retailers at the conference centre and in numerous hotels in the town.  This show has been coming to Harrogate for over 50 years with retailers seeking out original new products being the only ones who ever got to see it.  Putting together this stunning Christmas display is our way of creating an outdoor exhibition that everyone visiting Harrogate as a shopping destination can enjoy and also extends the experience for our retailers." 

 

And just like Christmas the surprise factor is what it is all about so all those involved this year are inviting visitors and residents to the best ever celebrity switch on in Crescent Gardens on 23 November, being hosted live by 97.2 Stray FM and FT Audio Visual, when all will be revealed.

 

The 'big switch on' on 23 November in Crescent Gardens will be a real family party night.

 

As well as Father Christmas, carols, music, complimentary mulled wine, mince pies and American style-Christmas cookies, and Sparky Fireworks will start the night off with a stunning 72 rocket firework display.

 

The full programme is as follows:

 

 

Stray FM will be broadcasting live with music, fun and games with Brooksy, carols from St Peter's School,hot chocolate from Cedar Court Hotel and cookies from Menwith Hill.

 

72 rocket firework display from the conference centre

 

Father Christmas arrives in his reindeer sled accompanied by the Harrogate Band

 

Opening speeches by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate (Councillor Geoff Webber), Mark Brett, Director of Harrogate International Toy Fair Ltd and Maureen Ingleton, President of Harrogate and District Soroptimists

 

Crowd count down to the BIG SWITCH ON by Hugo Speers

 

 

Public invited to Harrogate International Centre conservatory to see the animated window display where complimentary mulled wine and mince pies will be served courtesy of the management.

 

 

Many businesses, groups and organisations have been involved in sponsoring lights or other elements for this year's show and without whom it wouldn't have been possible.  They include:

 

Hugo Speer

Soroptimists International of Harrogate & District

Christmas & Gift Fair

HITF Ltd

Premier Decorations

Widmanns

MK Illuminations

Avant Garde Design & Publishing Ltd

FDL

Black Box

Noma Lites Ltd

Sto-Rose Ltd (Fantasia balloons)

Padgett Bros (A-Z) Ltd

Harrogate Borough Council and its Harrogate International Centre

Crown Hotel

Menwith Hill

Cedar Court Hotel

97.2 Stray FM

Simon Elvin

Northern Rail

Asda

City Loft Developments

Harrogate Civic Society

Destination Harrogate

Hoopers of Harrogate

Hotel du Vin

McCormicks Solicitors

Waitrose Ltd

Bettys of Harrogate

Farrow and Ball

Lakeland Limited

M Procter Opticians

MajorMinor Children's Wear

Orvis

Phratry Club of Harrogate

Russell and Bromley

Shooligans

Wesley Barrell

William Greensmith
Montpellier Quarter

White Hart Hotel

Ackrill Media Group

FT Audio Visual

Harrogate Lions

Harrogate Band

St Peter's School