Virtual festive lights switch-on event
PREPARATIONS are underway for a virtual extravaganza to officially launch Christmas 2020 in Inverclyde.
The council’s annual festive lights switch-on events are going online this year due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions but every effort has been made to ensure the popular showpiece is still as bright as Rudolph’s nose.
The virtual spectacular takes place on Friday (4 December) at 6pm and will be shown on the local authority’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
It will feature visits to the Christmas trees in every Inverclyde town and village accompanied by singing and messages from school pupils and special performances from local dance schools and choirs.
There will also be some festive wishes from famous faces, including the Still Game and Greenock panto stars Jane McCarry and Mark Cox who are among the cast involved in the eagerly-anticipated Inverclyde festive film being produced by the council in partnership with the Beacon Arts Centre.
Provost Martin Brennan, who will do the honours of switching on the area’s Christmas lights, said: “The ‘C’ word has dominated 2020 so it’s a pleasant distraction to welcome the other ‘C’ word of such importance at this time of year – Christmas.
“While the coronavirus restrictions, for good reasons, won’t allow us to celebrate the start of the festive season in the usual fashion at events in all our towns and villages, a lot of time and effort has gone into producing a virtual alternative which I’m sure will spread some much-needed cheer.
“I encourage residents of all ages to tune in if they can and help us officially launch the start of the festive period.”
People will be able to watch the Inverclyde Christmas lights switch-on at 6pm on Friday 4 December at facebook.com/InverclydeCouncil or youtube.com/inverclydecouncil.