Full details have been announced of Helston’s Christmas Lights switch-on event next week, which is back after three years – with one notable absence.

Thousands of people are expected to crowd into the town for the switch-on evening next Friday, November 25, which is the first one to be held since before the Covid pandemic.

The main streets of town will be closed to traffic from 3.40pm on that Friday, to give enough time for vehicles that may be pared in the streets to move and allow traders to set up and arrive.

The main Centre Stage, where the switch-on ceremony will take place, will also be built during this time in Coinagehall Street, and be in a new location this year that harks back to the past.

Explaining the reason for the move, Robert Williams, chairman of the Helston Christmas Lights Committee, said: “If the weather is kind to us we are expecting record crowds so, in anticipation of this and as an important part of our risk assessment for the event, the Centre Stage will now be set up outside JJ News where it used to be 20 years ago.

“This will open up the centre of Coinagehall Street where it gets very congested with everyone crammed in shoulder-to-shoulder.”

Traders will be up and running from 5pm, including a range of food outlets selling burgers, hog roast, kebabs, jacket potatoes, Caribbean-themed food, soup, crepes, doughnuts, cakes and waffles.

Santa will be in his grotto in Meneage Street from 5.30pm and there will also be children’s rides, while gift stalls will be set up and The Guildhall.

Musical entertainment will get underway from 6pm with local band Cornish Roots performing by the Guildhall and Helston Town Concert Band playing outside WH Smiths.

The Culdrose Military Wives Choir will be on the stage from 6pm till 6.50pm before Helston Town Band takes their place and Rev Danny Reed takes up the role of compere in the half-hour build-up to the switch on. Community carol singing will lead in to the countdown to the switch-on at 7.30pm.

One notable absence this year will be the fireworks display that usually takes place below the Grylls Monument immediately following the switch-on.

Mr Williams said the main reason for this was the prohibitive cost, adding that the committee had “thought long and hard” to reach the conclusion.

He explained: “It costs over £2,000 in public liability insurance just for five minutes of fireworks - that’s without the cost of buying the fireworks themselves.

“It’s time to have an enjoyable evening without the expense of the fireworks; I’m sure many pet owners will be in favour of this decision. It’s a lights switch-on event after all, not a fireworks display.

“We hope this decision will be supported and the event will still be enjoyed by all.”

Entertainment will continue through the evening after the lights are turned on, with traders remaining until 9pm.

The roads will reopen to traffic at 10pm. Buses will have alternative pick-up points during the road closure and the taxi rank will be in Monument Road for these hours.

Mr Williams added: “The Christmas Lights Crew have been working hard over the last six weeks erecting the lights around town on Saturdays and Sundays, often starting at 6am, in preparation for the big event which attracts thousands of people into the main streets of town - some say it’s busier than Flora Day!

“We hope you all enjoy the switch on evening and the lights, and fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us.”

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