Christmas Lights Switch On Parade
The Big Switch On - Behind the Scenes by Julia Le Tissier
The Switch on Day Parade takes a huge amount of organisation for the Vice-President of the Young Business Group each year. This takes several months and a lot of effort from so many different members of the YBG and the wider community.
Preparations for the Parade actually start in the summer when we book the acts for Town Church Square. This year we were lucky enough to have The Guernsey Majorettes who were sadly not able to perform due to the extreme weather conditions in the afternoon but we hope that they will accept an invitation to perform next year. Oscar Puffin has started to become a veteran of the entertainment and helped YBG by promoting the Competition for a young assistant in Puffins Plaice in November. This was won by Jodie Mechem.
Father Christmas starts his afternoon at the Children’s Ward at the hospital with the Chief Elf. Creasey’s Toy Department supplies the gifts for the children who are not well enough to come into Town for the Parade.
Each year a representative from the Town Church leads a blessing and this year we were pleased to welcome the Vice-Dean Andrew Sharp to do this. Johnny’s Angels and Aindre Reece-Sheerin both sang while the crowds were waiting for the main Parade to walk from the Yacht Club, both distributing sweets which were kindly provided by the OGH and collecting letters from children en-route. The Scout Band accompanies the Parade along the route and did a sterling job despite the rain!
There are so many other people to thank who contribute to the day. This year it was the Lifeboat crew who delivered Father Christmas and his Chief Elf to the slipway so that he can re-join his sleigh. Mark Fallaize from RG Phillips ensures that the Sleigh is always in perfect working order. Mark at Balloonees provides the confetti canons which are let off by the elves when the lights go on and to States Works for the barriers. The Police and Maximum Security ensure that the crowds that gather are safe and that Father Christmas can move through in time for the main event in Town Church Square. Island FM did a great job as always by introducing the acts, entertaining the crowd and keeping everyone informed of the times for the entertainment and the switch on itself.
Vanessa at the Yacht Club provides us with the space for everyone to get into character and a warming drink on our return. Island Coachways pick up the Characters and take them back to the Yacht Club and Festive Decor put together the technical crew and entertainment liaison in Town Church Square in addition to the fund raising that keeps the lights illuminated each year.
The Parade characters are dressed by Fancy That. Hazel made us some new characters this year in the form of the Harry Potter group and Guernsey Pat. Tiff De La Mare applies all of the makeup in addition to taking part in the parade this year.
The Parade would not be able to happen if it wasn’t for all of the volunteers who get into character in some difficult weather conditions to entertain the children along the route. Every year it astounds me that we fill the character list with many people coming back to help year after year. And of course I must thank Father Christmas and his Chief Elf for coming to Guernsey all the way from Lapland because without them the Parade would not be as magical!
Without the community working together YBG would not be able to organise a successful Parade every year so thank you once again to everyone. And finally Young Business Group would like to wish you all a happy holiday season!