Families turned out for the Christmas events in Margate, Broadstairs and Westgate over the weekend.
In Margate the festive fun spread through the High Street, The Centre and the Old Town with local business stalls and a Teen Market, panto cast from the Granville’s Peter Pan, entertainment and Mrs Christmas.
There were numerous live music acts, including The Broken Seals and Ozzie and the Uglies and dance from Off The Hook Productions and Jo Jo’s performing arts students as well as Act 1 Theatre Group and more.
Trees were twinkling in various High Street and Old Town locations and at SEK’s premises there were free crafts, fruit and veg bags and a clothes bank to lend a helping hand to anyone struggling.
In Westgate the Peter Pan cast were out again enjoying the Christmas vibe in Station Road which hosted a street market, live acts and entertainment, fun fair, Santa’s grotto plus much more!
There was live music from EK1 and entertainment from Thanet dance schools.
In Broadstairs despite a hitch with the Christmas lights – which technicians are on site fixing today -hundreds of people turned out to enjoy live music, more than 40 stalls selling all kinds of Christmas goodies and a meet and greet with Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas. The afternoon was rounded off with carol singing led by the mayor, Cllr Mike Garner, and singers and signers from the Inspiration Creative choir.
Unfortunately the decorative lighting switch on in Broadstairs and St Peter’s did not go as planned. Despite a year’s worth of planning by council staff, the lighting contractors suffered a series of communication failures and technical difficulties and were unable to switch the lights on to coincide with the event.
The Mayor of Broadstairs & St. Peter’s, Cllr Mike Garner said it was disappointing the lights didn’t go to plan but overall the day was a success.
He added:”I’d like to thank all the council staff who worked hard to make this year’s Christmas Market the great success it was. Thanks also to all the stall holders and each of the musical acts. Mr and Mrs Claus were as popular as ever, with long queues to see them, and I was especially pleased to be able to join the wonderful Inspiration Creative at the end for the communal carol singing. Thanks to everyone who came.”
