Thousands of people visited the Christmas Fayre on Sunday, November 26, to enjoy the festivities put on at the event organised by Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

As well as over 85 stall holders, making it the biggest fayre to date, visitors enjoyed live music, street entertainment, Santa’s grotto, face painting and the official switch on of the town’s Christmas lights.

The lights switch on was a very special moment with two-year-old Alfie McDonald taking the stage with his parents, Courtney and Lannock, to turn on the lights. Alfie was diagnosed with a rare generic condition which caused a seizure earlier this year. Following an appeal for nominations by the Town Council for someone to turn on the lights, Alfie was chosen.

Charlotte Reynolds, Ross-on-Wye Town Council’s Community Development Officer said: “We were delighted to see so many people attending and supporting the event despite the poor weather in the morning. It was great to once again see the streets of Ross packed with visitors enjoying all the festivities. It was such a wonderful moment to see Alfie’s smiling face as he switched on the lights. I am sure all who attended were moved at this moment.”

Ross-on-Wye Town Council would like to thank event sponsors, REHAU, Fibre Heroes and Harrison Clarke Rickerbys Ltd, as well as Ben Abbott, AP Stage Solutions, Scaffolding 2000, Community First Responders, Caple Security, Steve Oakley, The Venue, Superson Entertainment, Valerian Entertainment, Looby Lou, Joey the Juggler, Erica Jean, Noah Rawlings, Chocolate Teapot, Border Belles, The Penyard Singers, A.W Parker (Drybrook) Band, John Kyrle High School, Captured by the Caves, West Mercia Police and EnviroAbility. 

The Town Council also thanks the volunteers, stall holders and shop keepers as the event “wouldn’t have happened without them.” 

They gave a special thank you to Alfie, Courtney and Lannock for agreeing to turn on the town lights and for sharing this special moments with thousands of people.