There will be a new Christmas lights display in Withernsea this year thanks to a large donation from the Big Local, the town council has confirmed.
The organisation has donated £50,000 from its Investing in Withernsea Fund.
In recent years, the displays had been scaled back because of an ageing electrical system and decades-old lights.
Now, though, the fund will allow for the decommissioning of the old electrics and lights, making way for the installation of a new extended display. The works will be ongoing throughout September.
Valley Gardens will remain the setting for the annual switch-on event, which will include a new Christmas tree, festive lighting and a lantern parade.
A spokeswoman for Withernsea Town Council said: “We are delighted to confirm that Queen Street, Withernsea, will have a new and extended festive lights display this year, thanks to Withernsea Big Local.
“Big Local stepped in after it was announced in 2022 that the existing lighting had to be scaled back and decommissioned due to its age. They kindly funded a new project which enabled us to put a lighting display on Valley Gardens using our own infrastructure which worked very well despite the poor turnout and weather.
“Queen Street will therefore continue to have festive lights for pedestrians and passing traffic to enjoy while Christmas in the Valley will be the safest and most focal point for the switch-on, with a new feature tree for 2023.
“This is an amazing contribution to our town, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Withernsea Big Local as without this sort of investment, it would have taken us years to raise this sort of money. We hope the town will join us in thanking Withernsea Big Local for everything they have done for this town over the years.”
This year’s switch-on event will take place in Valley Gardens on Saturday, November 25, from 4pm to 6pm.
There will be lights, stars and giant lanterns, Santa in his grotto, and Phoebe’s Toy Bank will be running a tombola stall, donations for which are being accepted at the Shores Centre.
Theatre company Animated Objects will be leading the lantern parade from Valley Gardens at 4.15pm and will offer young people the chance to join.
The parade will leave Valley Gardens and walk along the promenade to the RNLI station before making its way back to Valley Gardens.
Once the lantern parade has returned to Valley Gardens at 5pm, the new Christmas tree will be switched on by the mayor, Cllr Lyn Healing, who will be accompanied by this year’s Withernsea Carnival prince and princess.
A Snow Queen standing at just under four metres will be going on walkabout in Valley Gardens between 5pm and 6pm, and a winter- themed animation will be projected on to the upper walls of the Blue Door Café.
On Friday, December 1, the annual Remembrance Tree Service will take place at the Municipal Buildings.
