The Mansfield Christmas lights switch-on has a history of attracting some famous faces and this year is no exception. R&B star and Brit Award Winner, Lemar will be taking to the stage as the headline act.

Lemar’s talents were brought to the public’s attention when he took part in the BBC’s Fame Academy in 2002. Although he finished the show in third place, he went on to have seven top ten UK singles and sold over two million albums.

The FREE event, taking place on 17 November (5.30pm to 7pm) at Mansfield Market Place, is one of the largest events in Mansfield Town Centre’s calendar and this year is set to be even bigger and better than ever.

Up and coming boy band Eli Prime, will also be getting the crowds in the party spirit with their own edgy fusion of electro club beats and commercial pop songs.

For the younger audience, Fireman Sam will be appearing at various intervals.

The dazzling Christmas lights switch-on event will be opened by the Mayor of Mansfield and the event will be hosted by presenters from Mansfield 103.2.

As you stand beneath the glittering Christmas lights and enjoy the fantastic fireworks display and Christmas snow, you’re sure to feel the festive spirit.

Once the show’s over, head into the Four Seasons Shopping Centre where you will be able to meet the stars of the show and get your very own autographs.

The event marks the start of late night Thursday shopping in the town centre on the run-up to Christmas, with many shops open until 8pm.

Places are available on a dedicated viewing platform for wheelchair users and can be booked on a first come first served basis by calling 01623 463 073.

The event is organised by the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, the BID, Mansfield 103.2, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, 6 five 2s Taxis, Xposure creative and the Chad.

Mansfield District Council’s Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said:

“Mansfield is building a tradition for putting on a great switch-on event and some spectacular Christmas lights – I’m sure this year will be no exception.”

“The Christmas Lights Switch-on is always a personal highlight of the year for me – it’s an opportunity for people from our district and beyond to come together and celebrate the official start of the countdown to Christmas” added Tony.

Keep checking back for more exciting switch-on news!

The annual big switch on featuring stage show with family entertainment, live music and a fantastic fireworks display will take place in Mansfield Market Place on Thursday 17 November.

The event will mark the start of late night shopping in the town and gives everyone a chance to start their festive celebrations and see what the town has to offer.

The event is organised by the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, the BID, Mansfield 103.2, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, 6 five 2s Taxis, Xposure Creative and the Chad.

Emma Sowter, Mansfield District Council’s Events and Promotions Co-ordinator said: “Planning is well underway for this year’s event and I’m sure it will prove to be better than ever!

“Watch this space for more details about who will be appearing on stage and make sure you put the date in your diary.”

Keep checking the site for details of star guests as they are announced!

The Christmas Lights Committee would like to say thank you, to the members of the public for attending, and to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this year’s event extra special.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee.

Mansfield District Council’s interim town center manager has written a song as part of a campaign to encourage people to do their Christmas shopping in Mansfield.

Because It’s Christmas in Mansfield
By Nick Turner

Christmas is coming, guitars start a strumming, the shops are all filling up
The markets are welcoming people for the seasonal switch on

Come on run with us, shop with us
Come to town and dance with us
Mansfield District, 103.2, will welcome you

Because it’s snowing in the street, smiling faces that you meet,
Tinsel in the town, we won’t let you down

The Chad reports for you, your local news, 103.2 your vocal views
Ian Watkins on the breakfast show, John B Tannon, is in the know

The Stags football team, will make you scream
Come on you Stags, climb up the league
The town’s behind you, both the Tony’s show
From the Council to the radio

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

Mansfield, Mansfield, Four Seasons and retail parks,
Market people and M&S, Debenhams you can buy a dress
River Island, Laura Ashley too, TK Maxx, Boots and Burtons for you
Westgate Stores with department floors,
Primark, JJB and Comet Stores

Liquid nightclub, ‘And Why Not’ food, Palace Theatre, with season’s panto show
Cheeky Monkeys, Martha’s, Widow Frost, Stag and Pheasant, Yates and Riley’s pots

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

Mansfield, Mansfield, Four Seasons and retail parks,
Market people and M&S, Debenhams you can buy a dress

The Chad reports for you your local news, 103.2 your vocal views
Ian Watkins on the breakfast show, John B Tannon, is in the know

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

The Stags football team, you make us scream

We are delighted to announce that 12 Stags hero’s will be signing autographs for fans at the Christmas Lights Switch On event.  The signing is a unique opportunity to meet some of the stars from the Stags so make sure you arrive on time!

The signing will take place at Debenhams in the Four Season Centre, come and meet:

David Holdsworth
Duncan Russell
Jason Truscott
Steve Foster
Adam Murray
Rhys Day
Tom Naylor
Ryan Williams
Simon Grand
Peter Vincenti
Steve Cook
Louis Briscoe

Don’t forget your Stags shirts!

Glam Jam a fantastic live band performing songs from Slade at Mansfield Christmas lights switch on event on November 18th

Whats On Xmas in mansfield

Recently finished is Mansfield’s latest ‘What’s On’ Guide. (2.6Mb PDF)

Inside you’ll find tons of stuff to do for the whole family, Including Christmas Honey Pot Markets,Switch On Event and  Free Land Train. To find out more download the PDF from the link above.

Bespoke LED Cross Street displays ,together with a stunning light canopy will form part of a brand new display along Leeming Street and adjacent to the Palace theatre, which is this year celebrating its Centenary.This will be a fiitting dispay to showcase the Palace Theatre, and has been made possible by funds introduced by the BID team.

Other new LED cross Street displays entitled Village in the Woods will be displayed around the town, and stay with the White Lite theme introduced in the Millenium Consumption of electricity is greatly reduced using this new technology, whilst at the same time giving a much brighter, softer light effect
Colorblast floodlights with frosted lenses and pre programmed computer generated effects will also compliment this years lighting scheme on two of our railway viaducts ,as well as the Bentinck Memorial.
Some of our existing stock is nearing the end of its useful life, and after consultation with Steve Dalby at MDC it was agreed that we need to commence a replacement programme, rather than a refurbishment programme, which will prove more cost effective, and bring Mansfields lights firmly into the 21st Century.
In additon to the new lights we will once again have the traditional 30 ft Christmas Tree in the Market Place, courtesy of sponsorship from the owners Sue and Geoff Walker of the The Hostess Restaurant,Sookholme.r.Assisting with the transportation of the tree, again on a sponsorship basis will be  Bowerings Transport.Warsop, another long standing supporter of Mansfield Christmas Lights
The whole committee continue to work on a voluntary basis, and their enthusiasm  and ideas remain as strong as they have ever been over the past 10 years

Congratulations to this years competition winner, Owen Cartwright, aged 7,  from Mansfield,who designed a very lifelike SANTA.

His entry was chosen by the Christmas Lights Committee, and the light will be diplayed on the outside of the 4seasons Shopping Center, and will be turned on at the big switch on Thursday November the 18th

Singer Chesney Hawkes will be the main attraction on the night, which promises fun for all the family, various main stage entertainment and new features for 2010.
Organisers are expecting bumper crowds from 5.30-7pm, when the event climaxes with the switch-on of the lights and a firework display.
Other attractions this year include:

• Children’s TV’s Magic Kingdom Ben and Holly

• Father Christmas making a magical appearance on stage

• A snow machine

• Two large TV screens

• All the action presented on stage by Mansfield 103.2 will be captured on two large TV screens, enabling everyone to get a glimpse of the stars as they take to the stage.

• And when the fun on the main stage is over, all the acts will be signing autographs in the Debenhams café in the Fours Seasons shopping centre, where shops will be open until late for Christmas shoppers.

There will also be a disabled ramp for wheelchairs users (must be booked in advance on 01623 463733)
The event is organized and supported by the Mansfield Christmas lights committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, Mansfield BID, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, Xposure Visual Communications Ltd, Mansfield 103.2 and Chad.