BANDON’S new state-of-the-art Christmas lights will be unveiled to the public at the official Christmas lights switch-on  this Saturday evening November 22nd, writes Kieran O’Mahony.

The switching on of the new lights, which were purchased earlier this year with the new public realm in mind, are the beginning of Christmas celebrations in Bandon which will include musical performances, The Christmas Train and even a Snow Disco at the Fish Corner and a visit by Santa Claus.

Members of Bandon Business Association (BBA) have been busy in recent weeks erecting some of the new lights, which was made possible due to a grant from Leader and Avondhu Blackwater, which covers three quarters of the purchase of the new lights.

Not all the newly purchased lights will be erected this year due to cost and time restraints and they are calling on the people of Bandon to help cover the balance of the cost of the new lights along with installation and upgrade costs.

The festive lights will be installed along South Main Street, Ballymodan Place, Bridge Street, Market Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and Pearse Street among others.

‘We have had some great donations from businesses around the town and we are looking for more. We are also asking the community to get behind it too. We have collection tins in shops and cafés around the town too,’ said a spokesperson.

They have also set up an idonate page for the Bandon Christmas Lights Appeal and asking people to donate there too.

Chair of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District Cllr Marie O’Sullivan will switch on the lights at Ballymodan Place at 6.30pm with plenty of festive music promised also.

See ‘Bandon Christmas Lights’ on idonate.ie.