Panto horses to run wild at first Christmas light switch-on of the year
Max Sowerby with the new Sowerbys Holt Christmas Trophy, to be presented each year to the winner of the pantomime horse race. Picture: Supplied by Colin Rawlings - Credit: Archant
As we gallop towards the festive season a special prize has been prepared for a Christmas lights switch-on.
A scene from last year's Holt Christmas lights switch on. Picture: RODNEY SMITH - Credit: Archant
Holt is the first of Norfolk's market towns to host a light switch-on this year, with the event taking place on Wednesday, November 13.
Colin Rawlings, a volunteer, said: "One of the highlights is the pantomime horse race, which started four years ago. Sowerbys [estate agent] won the race in the fist two years, and this year they've agreed to sponsor a cup for the winners called the Sowerbys Holt Christmas Trophy."
The race will see pairs of 12 people gallivanting up the High Street in horse costumes, before picking up a balloon to 'prove' they have made it to the end and racing back to the finish line.
Mr Rawlings said there would plenty of other things to see and do at the event, which runs from 5pm to 8pm.
A scene from the Holt Christmas lights switch on. Picture: RODNEY SMITH - Credit: Archant
He said: "The whole High Street will be closed and full of action.
"We encourage everyone to dress up for the day and there will be a children's fancy-dress competition for the best-dressed child."
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There will be a parade through the town featuring performers from the Fairyland Trust, who carry illuminated lanterns of badgers, bats and other animals.
Mr Rawlings said: "We will also have the team from Curious Fair, who make wonderful masks and features, so there will almost be a medieval twist to parts of the parade.
The fireworks display at Holt's Christmas lights switch on. Photograph: ARCHANT. - Credit: Archant
"We've also got a band, a community choir, the Ukelele Elves, and the Parallel dance group. We've got ourselves very organised with all sorts of traders coming with fair events for children, food stalls, and charity stalls."
The pantomime race will take place between 5.30pm and 6pm, the parade will be from 6pm to 6.15pm and then there will be some carol singing before a countdown to a fireworks display.
Mr Rawlings said: "Father Christmas pushes a plunger and the fireworks go off. It's always something to see."
He said the lights switch-on was run by a small group of committed volunteers, and was a chance for visitors to see the town at its best.
The panto horse race at a previous Holt Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Mr Rawlings said: "The whole event is run on a shoestring. Whatever money we make from one year we put it back into the pot for the following year."
A scene from a previous Holt Christmas lights switch on. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
