VISITORS to Stockton Town Centre will be able to feast their eyes this weekend on a whole host of festive sights as Stockton Sparkles, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s winter festival continues.
Christmas themed street acts will be performing up and down the High Street on Saturday 5 December and will be amusing and entertaining shoppers and visitors. The Acrobatic Elves will delight crowds with their comic antics as they are put to work by Santa. Basher and Crasher, the joy-riding reindeers will be cruising about in their amazing self-propelled sleigh and there will be plenty of Christmas cheer as Mike Hancock brings comedy, seasonal music and audience participation with his barrel organ.
On Thursday 3 December ice sculptors will arrive in the Town Centre to create beautiful and festive works of ice art over a four day period. Once complete the sculptures be lit up and will look stunning set against the early evening and night sky.
On Saturday 5 December businesses across Stockton Town Centre are also getting into the festive spirit as part of a national campaign to get people supporting small businesses.
Small Business Saturday is designed to encourage the nation to shop at local shops, cafes, restaurants and champion small business. As part of Stockton Sparkles, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has invited businesses to dress their windows with festive decorations for their ‘Best Dressed Christmas Window’ competition and encourage people to shop local for Christmas gifts.
Next week photos of the five most attractive window displays will be uploaded onto Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s and Rediscover Stockton’s Facebook pages so people can vote for their favourite.
Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Bob Cook, said: “We hope that visitors and shoppers will come into the High Street this Saturday to sample all that is on offer and support Stockton Town Centre businesses on Small BusinessSaturday.
“For those searching for a perfect Christmas gift look no further than our superb selection of independent shops selling one-off gifts plus all the favourite high street stores. With plenty of places to eat and drink too it’s a great place to meet up with friends or relax.
“From festive shop-windows to ice sculpture there will also be so much to see. Be on the look-out for fabulous street theatre performers who will be sure to delight and entertain.”
For more information and to view the full programme of Stockton Sparkles visit www.stockton.gov.uk/stocktonsparkles
To vote for the ‘Best Dressed Christmas Window’ visit www.facebook.com/stocktoncouncil or www.facebook.com/RediscoverStockton
