Schedule for busy Christmas launch event in Mayo town revealed

Santa will be the main man in Westport on Friday, December 6, when he will be on hand to switch on the Christmas lights in Westport town from the balcony of Westport Town Hall, The Octagon at approximately 5pm.

Santa, like all the visitors to the town in recent weeks, is also anxious to see the Paddington Statue and intends to hitch a lift to the Octagon from the Fairgreen with Paddy Joe Foy and The Clew Bay Jarvey.

Once the lights have been officially switched on, Santa and Mrs Claus will also make time to meet families in their grotto at Westport Town Hall with some treats from Aunty Nelly Sweets.

Westport Town Band will lead proceedings with some festive tunes just outside the Westport Town Hall and the Community Choir will also be there from 6pm to sing Christmas Carols and keep the festive spirit going as families meet Santa. Westport Town Hall will be running a short Christmas movie in the Auditorium from approximately 6pm.

This free family event is organised by Westport Town Hall and Westport Chamber of Commerce and will be a lovely ommunity gathering that will see everyone home in plenty of time to get ready for the ever-popular Late Late Toy Show on RTE that same evening from 9.30pm on RTE1.

The committee of the Westport Chamber feels that the festive lighting of the centre of Westport is hugely important to all the people - residents, retailers, shoppers, and visitors and this is why the Chamber agreed to the transitioning of the installation of the Christmas lighting from Mayo County Council. As part of the evolution from the local authority’s responsibility for Christmas lighting, Westport Chamber managed to secure some funding from a government grant together with a contribution from local councillors. Westport Chamber acknowledges the amazing work by the team of Moran Electrical and the outdoor staff of the local authority completing the task in such a short period of time.

The Santa Claus event at Westport Town Hall on December 6 will also form part of the Shop Local initiative. Westport Chamber of Commerce is once again running the very successful 'Shop Local' promotion that will see over €5,000 worth of shopping vouchers available to win - a first prize of €1,000 worth of vouchers with the remaining €4,000 given away as runner-up prizes. Over 100 retailers and hospitality businesses are taking part in the promotion this year. During the 'Shop Local' promotion, a shopper who makes a purchase of over €20, is asked to complete a free ticket and place it in the completion box at the participating businesses. All the tickets are then collected for the main draw which takes place at the Leeson Enterprise Centre on Friday, December 20.