It's a family festive affair as Wickers turn out in droves for Christmas lights event

Wick town centre was thriving on Saturday afternoon as scores of families turned out for the official switching on of the town's Christmas lights at 4pm.

Children and their parents trooped up from the town's riverside as part of an umbrella parade that brought an array of colours to High Street and Market Square.

"It's been amazing," said Claire Mackenzie, chairperson of Wick Christmas Lights Committee, at the event.

"I was a bit worried this morning as it was breezy. This is the biggest Fun Day we've ever had and there must be over 1000 people here. There are 28 different trade stalls which is more than we've ever had before. If this doesn't show how a community can come back from Covid then I don't know what will."

Claire said she felt her exhaustion at the end of the event was "overwhelmed with joy".

"As a small committee we can turn round and say 'we did this for our town'. It's a lot of work and we're a small committee but we're committed to bringing this to our town. Christmas magic is what it's all about."

Claire said that last year's Fun Day event in Wick was a much more scaled down version of Saturday's. She added that the tree was sourced by local man, Davy Crowden, who cut and trimmed it and Hugh Simpson Contractors Ltd transported the tree and erected it in the Market Square. Highland Council put the lights up on Thursday in advance of Saturday's Fun Day.

What would Christmas be without the usual array of festive chart-toppers from bygone years and Caithness FM delivered them all. Shane Ross, one of the DJs, said they set up in the town square at around 10.30am after travelling over from Thurso. "It started slow but it's really picked up," said Shane after the lights were switched on.

Allan Farquhar was one of the stallholders populating the town centre that helped bring a real buzz to the place. "The town's been absolutely rammed today so we've done very well," said Allan who was promoting John O'Groats Brewery. "This is what the whole Market Square and the High Street is all about."

The tension built up at the Fun Day after Santa and Mrs Claus arrived in their tractor-powered sleigh. They were joined by Wick's current Gala Queen Beth Dunnett who did the honours of switching on the lights as the crowd did a countdown from 10. Everyone who attended the event, young and old alike, all agreed it was a welcome event for the town centre and bode well for the town.

The Christmas Lights Committee posted a message on its Facebook page thanking everyone who attended: "What a fantastic response and the support was amazing. Even the weather was fairly kind to us.

"Thanks so much to everyone who came out and supported us, local business who continue to support us each year and traders who braved a stall for a day. Thank you to each and every single member of our committee.

"Thanks again everyone, enjoy the lights and Merry Christmas."

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