Thousands come to the town centre as Omagh lights up for Christmas!

The Christmas season was well and truly launched in Omagh on Saturday evening when thousands joined Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Dianna Armstrong, with assistance from Santa to celebrate the switch on of the Christmas lights in the town.

The Christmas illumination provided the grand finale to an afternoon of festive entertainment in the town centre compered by Brian Gallagher which featured, St. Eugene’s Brass and reed band, Gareth Pritchard and his band, the Snow Sisters, St. Colmcilles, Carrickmore PS Choir, Omagh Integrated PS Choir and Gaelscoil Na gCrann  PS Choir.

The programme of free activities and festive fun in the Strule Arts Centre also proved to be very popular with large crowds visiting Santa, children getting their faces painted and attending the wonderful Snow Sisters workshops which was held throughout the day. Indeed, the Snow Sisters later joined Santa and Gareth Pritchard on stage for the countdown to the Christmas lights switch on and festive sing-a-long.

Representatives of Omagh Churches Forum provided the traditional Christmas Greetings and seasonal reflection.

The  Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Dianna Armstrong, extended season’s greetings on behalf of the Council the Council.  In her address, Councillor Armstrong, highlighted the importance of shopping locally where possible, ensuring that the local businesses and consequently the local economy would benefit from what is a traditionally busy period.

Councillor Armstrong also thanked all those who provided entertainment on the day  and congratulated the Events team and staff of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for organising such a hugely enjoyable event.  She also expressed her gratitude to the thousands of people who turned out for the switch-on and who created such a wonderful festive atmosphere in the town centre.

The switch on of the Christmas illuminations is just the beginning of a bumper package of events to celebrate the festive season in Omagh. Shop Local Saturday will take place in Omagh on Saturday 30 November from 12noon – 4.00pm. As well as supporting local businesses, shoppers will enjoy a range of festive fun including street entertainers, face painters, balloon modelling and festive music.

There will be a festive atmosphere in the town centre with free family street entertainment on day.

Omagh will be filled with festive cheer on Saturday 14 December 2019 from 12noon to 4.00pm with the annual Santa Dander in the town centre. Families will enjoy free street entertainment alongside the treasure hunt activity around Omagh. Participants will receive goodies for taking part and all returned activity sheets will be entered into a draw to win a special prize. Santa Dander activity sheets will be distributed to schools in the local area before the event and will be available from the gazebo outside Danske Bank on High Street.

For further information please visit Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s website at www.fermanaghomagh.com or telephone 0300 303 1777.