Manor Walks Cramlington is launching its spectacular festive programme with a stellar line-up at its Christmas lights switch on.
The yuletide event on Saturday 25th November marks the start of Manor Walks’ Christmas celebrations, including Santa’s Grotto and a variety of free, fun festive craft workshops.
The Christmas lights switch on, which takes place between 10am and 4pm, is being held in association with Heart FM and Cramlington Town Council.
It will feature a wide variety of family fun for all ages, including live music from brass and steel bands, mesmerising light-up stilt walkers, free face painting, dance performances, a special guest appearance and the exciting live final of Manor Walks’ singing competition, A Star is Born.
Following an open audition at Glass House, Cramlington, on Saturday 18th November, six youngsters were shortlisted to perform live at the exciting A Star is Born final.
Each contestant performed a song of their choice in front of a panel of judges including: singer songwriter and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jamie Lee Harrison, musician and producer David Stanyer and Chair of Cramlington Town Council, John Collins.
The six finalists will perform on stage before Santa throws the switch on this year’s spectacular Christmas lights. Their performances will be judged by Alex Roland from Moulin Music Management and one lucky youngster will be crowned winner of A Star is Born and win a £500 cash prize.
Bruno Coppola, General Manager at Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of talented youngsters who entered our very first singing competition. The calibre of entries was extremely high and it was very difficult to choose the 17 shortlisted contestants from the numerous young people who entered.
“Everybody did a fantastic job at the live audition and it was brilliant to see a wealth of talent from across the North East. We are extremely excited about discovering the next big star from the region and we can’t wait to hear the shortlisted youngsters’ performances at our spectacular Christmas lights switch on.
“The festive season is a magical time for everyone. We are so excited to help make one lucky child’s dreams come true by crowning them the winner of A Star is Born and giving them a £500 cash prize – for a magical Christmas they will never forget.”
John Collins, Chair of Cramlington Town Council, who was on the judging panel said: “It was fantastic to see so many talented young people perform at the live auditions. I was delighted with the quality and standard of applicants and it was difficult to choose who should go through to the A Star is Born final.
“It is great to see Cramlington giving young people the opportunity to shine and I am looking forward to the hotly contested final. I believe all the finalists have a great chance of entertaining the audience and being crowned the winner of A Star is Born. You never know the winner might be the next singing sensation from the North East.”
Heart FM’s Tom Campbell will host the switch on and visitors can have-a-go in the radio station’s photo booth and glitter station. Enjoy a special meet and greet with the Snow Sisters and their snowman friend including a ‘Let it Go’ sing-a-long with the Snow Queen herself. Children can also visit Santa’s Grotto for free where they will meet Santa’s elves from his North Pole workshop, find out if they are on the naughty or nice list.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and events follow @ManorWalks on Twitter, find Manor Walks on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/manorwalks or visit the website www.manorwalks.co.uk
For advice on how to get to Manor Walks please visit www.manorwalks.co.uk/visitor-info/getting-here.