CHARD residents joined a "very successful" Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday (November 25), which was "probably the biggest crowd we have seen for some years".
They enjoyed the Christmas craft fayre in the Guildhall from 10am until 2pm, and then from 4pm until 8pm.
The event also included Christmas market stalls food and drink outside from 6pm as well as Santa Grotto from 6pm until 8pm.
Chard Majorettes paraded through the town at 7pm followed by Santa on his sleigh.
Volunteers spent around 100 hours servicing, checking, testing, and repairing the lights before the event and decorated the town with hundreds of icicle lights.
Cllr Jason Baker said: “It was great to see such a huge crowd on Saturday for the Christmas lights switch on.
“It’s probably the biggest crowd we have seen for some years. We had some great stalls in the Guildhall as well as outside in the town.
“Father Christmas arrived on his sleigh and greeted over 150 children in his grotto in the Guildhall.
“The Mayor of Chard, Cllr Garry Shortland, Father Christmas, and the Carnival Royalty turned on the lights and I’m sure you will agree they look amazing.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped us with the lights this year as well as the marshals from the carnival committee and clubs who helped with the road closure."
The photo gallery, from Chard Town Council, shows some pictures from Saturday night.
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