Cooley Primary School set to perform at Omagh Christmas Lights Switch on

The children of Cooley Primary School, Sixmilecross are set to bring festive cheer to Omagh this Saturday 23 November as they perform at the Christmas Light Switch on. The pupils will take to the stage to deliver a selection of Christmas carols and festive songs, easing the crowd into the holiday spirit.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry attended a rehearsal at the school and said,
"I was thrilled to meet the children and teachers at Cooley Primary School here today and to listen to them practice the songs they will be performing at the light switch on. It is great to see the how excited the children are and I can see they are putting in a lot of hard work and effort. The audience is in for a real treat on the night and I would encourage everyone to come along and join in the festivities.'

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with Housing for All, Arbour, Radius and Apex Housing Associations, delivered by Urban Events have a wonderful day planned in Omagh this Saturday, 23 November including festive family activities such as Story Telling, Arts and Crafts, Street Animation, Live Music and more, all leading up to the Christmas Lights Switch-On at 5.30 pm.

Browse around Omagh's Christmas Market between 11am to 5pm, at the Marquee at Main Street as it is transformed into a festive wonderland filled with local crafts, delicious food & drink, live music from local musicians such as St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band, filling the air with festive spirit.
This continues with the Seasonal Outdoor Music Programme (outside Danske Bank)1pm - 4pm with music from Bros Inc. and Keelan Pritchard enhancing the Christmas Shopping experience in Omagh Town Centre.

Strule Arts Centre will be a hive of activity throughout the day. Courtesy of 'Housing for All', Santa will be available in Strule Arts Centre from 12pm-3pm for families to say hello, get their photo taken and receive a photo to remember the occasion. Plan your visit so you can also enjoy the Christmas Storytelling taking place in the Lecture Theatre at 2.30pm and 3.30pm. (2 x 35 minute stories) and Arts and Crafts between 2pm - 4pm creating your own Christmas Bauble. These activities are free but spaces are limited and bookable on line at www.struleartscentre.com.

A full programme of Festive Music and Entertainment will take place on the main stage outside the Court House from 4pm in the lead up to the Christmas Lights Switch on and 5.30pm. Adding extra sparkle to the celebrations, Santa's little helper and compere, Buddy the Elf will warmly welcome everyone including the Cooley Primary School pupils, just after 4pm as they sing their favourite Christmas Carols and Omagh Churches Forum who will present a short Christmas Blessing to one and all.
Buddy the Elf will then guide the audience on an enchanting journey around the world, showcasing Christmas traditions from various countries. Special guest characters Moana from Hawaii, Belle from France, and Anna & Elsa from Norway, sharing songs and customs from their homelands and marking Santa's arrival to the festivities.

Tumble Circus and Festive Characters will interact and engage with audiences as they assemble in anticipation for the arrival of Santa Claus, who will make his way through the crowd joining Destiny's Elf, a lively girl band, to lead everyone in a countdown to the Christmas Lights Switch-On.

The Christmas Light Switch-On is being supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme. The Programme had its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy, which reflected the Executive's commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.

Continuing the Council's commitment to inclusivity, accessible viewing areas will be available in both Omagh and Enniskillen for the Christmas Lights Switch on events, along with convenient car parking and accessible facilities in nearby Council venues.
The areas will be allocated to people with disabilities and family members on a first-come-first-served basis on the evening.
The festive atmosphere continues in the lead up to Christmas with the Seasonal Outdoor Music programme featuring live performances by local artists and bands every Saturday afternoon from 30 November and continuing on 7, 14, and 21 December with musicians such as St Mary's Silver Band Tempo, Aiden Scott Browne, St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band and more.
Explore the full Christmas Programme, including sensory-friendly events in the Events & Festivals section of the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com.

On behalf of the 'Housing for All' Omagh Advisory Group, Joanne Coyle (Arbour) commented:

"Arbour, Apex and Radius are delighted to support the annual Christmas Light Switch-On, celebrating the start of the festive season. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to develop and deliver a good relations plan to encourage a range of outcomes including health and wellbeing, arts and culture, education, and training. This event aligns perfectly with wider plans to foster strong cohesive communities, while providing an enjoyable day for local families filled with music, entertainment, and activities."

Further information: Northern Ireland Housing Executive - Shared Housing Programme www.nihe.gov.uk/working-with-us/partners/housing-for-all-shared-housing-programme

The Executive Office - Together: Building a United Community https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-together-building-united-communities-tbuc

Arbour Housing
18-22 Carleton Street, Portadown, BT62 3EN
Tel: 028 38 339795

Radius Housing
7 Racecourse Road
Derry-Londonderry
BT48 7RB

Apex Housing
10 Butcher Street
Derry-Londonderry
BT48 6HL

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