Line-up announced for Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On

Homegrown celebrity farmer Tom Pemberton will flick the switch to light up Lytham this Christmas.

The Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On is a highlight of the Fylde coast calendar and this year will see it take place on Saturday November 19 from 1:45pm until 6pm with the official lights switch-on between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

And while Lytham farmer Tom will perform the official switch-on duties, he will be joined on the day by a host of local musicians and singers who will provide an afternoon of live music and entertainment.

Tom Pemberton is fast becoming a household name across the UK as a rising star of agriculture with the ever growing popularity of his YouTube channel which now has almost half a million subscribers.

His witty down-to-earth commentary shows the reality of running a farm without the sugar-coating you often get on TV and his on-screen persona led to BBC3 recruiting Tom as the face of its tractor racing series, The Fast and The Farmer-ish.

Most recently Tom received the'Farming Hero; Flying the Flag for British Agriculture' at the British Farming Awards and he says he can’t wait to light up Lytham.

“I am absolutely honoured to have been asked,” said Tom. “I’ve lived in Lytham my whole life so I can honestly say it feels quite incredible to have been asked to switch-on the Christmas Lights this year.

“Lytham is a wonderful town and the place I feel proud to call home. The Switch-On afternoon is always a brilliant occasion and an opportunity to join with family and friends to kick-start the festive season so I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Lytham Community Choir will open the entertainment for the official switch-on and they will be followed by Lytham dance school Dance Etc and students from AKS. There will also be live performances from a host of local singers, musicians and singer-songwriters – Flo Maskery, House of Wolves, Daisy Atkinson and Edward Rhodes.

Following their popularity at last year’s Switch-On, party band Total Rewind fronted by St Annes singer and former The Tailormade’s Jack Frimston will get everyone dancing, and Fylde coast favourites Deadbeats will headline following the official switch on by Tom.

Lytham DJ and entertainer Paul O’Brien will be spinning the decks between artists to keep the party going.

Fylde Mayor Cllr Ben Aitken will be a special guest and will welcome everyone.

Sign language interpreter Tony Redshaw will also be on stage throughout. A familiar face to Lytham, Tony most recently entertained the crowds at this summer’s Lytham Festival with his sign language skills and accompanying dance moves.

And while the entertainment is taking place in Clifton Square, Father Christmas will lead a procession around Lytham setting off from the Assembly Rooms on Dicconson Terrace at 4pm.

In addition to the afternoon of entertainment, Lytham Christmas will also welcome Wesley’s Community Cafe and Larder as the event’s official charity partner. Located in St Annes, Wesley’s is operated totally by volunteers who give their time and effort towards helping people of the local area who need, food, assistance and company.

Lytham Christmas Lights Switch-On is organised by Cllr Brenda Blackshaw with support from a team of volunteers.

Cllr Blackshaw said: “Once again we have a brilliant line-up for our witch-on event and we can’t wait.

“You literally can’t get more homegrown than Tom Pemberton so we are delighted he has accepted our invite to switch the lights on and added to that we look forward to being entertained by some of the best talent the Fylde and Lancashire has to offer.

“We look forward to an afternoon where we can all come together to sing, dance and make merry as we kick off the festive season in our beloved Lytham.”

The event attracts crowds of around 5,000 people who gather to enjoy an afternoon of free entertainment from both local performers and household names.