STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP FOR SWITCH-ON OF OMAGH'S FESTIVE LIGHTS
Star-studded line-up for switch-on of Omagh's festive lights
THOUSANDS of people are expected to make their way to Omagh tonight (Thursday) for the grand switching-on of the town's Christmas lights, which will set the scene for the planned month-long yuletide festivities.
Singer Daniel O'Donnell heads a star studded line-up, which includes music from the Chevys and the premiering of the new single by Irish folk stars, Dolores and Sean Keane.
To add to the excitement, the famous 'Coca-Cola' Christmas truck which features in adverts in the run-up to Christmas, will be paying a visit to the town.
Accompanying the truck will be a life-size polar bear, which will, no doubt, get up to a few 'icy antics'.
Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders' Association, has appealed for local people to come out in force to support the town and to create a more positive image of Omagh.
"This is one of the first steps on a very long journey in rebuilding Omagh. We are trying to get the right atmosphere back into the town, and encourage people to come and shop here," he said.
"This switching on of the lights is for the people of Omagh by the people of Omagh, and we would particularly like to see those who were injured and traumatised by the bomb coming along."
Mr. Allen pointed out that all the performers were giving their time free, and NIE was also providing its services in installing the lights for the laser light show free of charge.
Guinness has donated a huge stage, which will be erected outside the Courthouse, and will form the focus of the night's festivities.
Mr. Allen explained that the town's main Christmas tree would be put up in its usual position at the top of the town within the next few days, after the stage has been dismantled.
It is also hoped that the bombed area of Market Street will be reopened in time for tonight.
This evening's event gets underway at 6.30prn with the 'Voices for Peace choir'. The cross-community choral group is made up of four choirs from both the north and south of Ireland, along with the Irish Philharmonic Chorus.
It will be singing an uplifting arrangement of the old Irish hymn, Deus Meus.
That will be followed by a 'pastoral message' from local clergy, and an advance performance of Dolores and Sean Keane's new single, 'Like the First Time it's Christmas Time'.
All proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to the Omagh Fund.
Just before 7pm, the Omagh Community Youth Choir will perform the title track from the 'Across the Bridge of Hope' compilation album, which features top Irish artistes, including U2, Sinead O'Connor, Boyzone and the Corrs.
The song itself is based on a touching poem written by 12-year-old Sean McLaughlin, from Buncrana, who died in the Omagh bomb.
Talent
Pupils from seven local schools make up the cross-community choir, bringing together a wealth of musical talent for an emotive and uplifting performance.
The 'Across the Bridge of Hope' album goes on release on Monday.
At 7.10pm Santa will be making his grand entrance, backed by the sounds of the Chevys. There will be the usual fun and games, with, no doubt, a few sweets distributed to the younger members of the public present.
The entertainment continues with a sensational laser light extravaganza getting underway at 7.35pm, lighting up the night sky above Omagh with a dazzling array of festive images and animations.
The laser show, which will be accompanied by music, will form the backdrop to the entire evening's entertainment.
Following in Santa's footsteps, the man whom many people will have come to see, singing star Daniel O'Donnell, will take centre stage for the grand lights switch-on, scheduled for 7.40pm.
He will delight and enthral his many fans by performing a string of his top hits, once Omagh is illuminated.
The Omagh Traders' Association grand draw, run in association with the Crossroads/Killygordon Omagh Fund Committee, of two VIP tickets to New York, courtesy of Aer Lingus, and six nights accommodation in one of the Radisson Group hotels, will also be held.
The evening will be drawn to a close with a musical medley by local zany performer, Rock Stewart, who will be entertaining the crowds in his own inimitable style.
THOUSANDS of people are expected to make their way to Omagh tonight (Thursday) for the grand switching-on of the town's Christmas lights, which will set the scene for the planned month-long yuletide festivities.
Singer Daniel O'Donnell heads a star studded line-up, which includes music from the Chevys and the premiering of the new single by Irish folk stars, Dolores and Sean Keane.
To add to the excitement, the famous 'Coca-Cola' Christmas truck which features in adverts in the run-up to Christmas, will be paying a visit to the town.
Accompanying the truck will be a life-size polar bear, which will, no doubt, get up to a few 'icy antics'.
Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders' Association, has appealed for local people to come out in force to support the town and to create a more positive image of Omagh.
"This is one of the first steps on a very long journey in rebuilding Omagh. We are trying to get the right atmosphere back into the town, and encourage people to come and shop here," he said.
"This switching on of the lights is for the people of Omagh by the people of Omagh, and we would particularly like to see those who were injured and traumatised by the bomb coming along."
Mr. Allen pointed out that all the performers were giving their time free, and NIE was also providing its services in installing the lights for the laser light show free of charge.
Guinness has donated a huge stage, which will be erected outside the Courthouse, and will form the focus of the night's festivities.
Mr. Allen explained that the town's main Christmas tree would be put up in its usual position at the top of the town within the next few days, after the stage has been dismantled.
It is also hoped that the bombed area of Market Street will be reopened in time for tonight.
This evening's event gets underway at 6.30prn with the 'Voices for Peace choir'. The cross-community choral group is made up of four choirs from both the north and south of Ireland, along with the Irish Philharmonic Chorus.
It will be singing an uplifting arrangement of the old Irish hymn, Deus Meus.
That will be followed by a 'pastoral message' from local clergy, and an advance performance of Dolores and Sean Keane's new single, 'Like the First Time it's Christmas Time'.
All proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to the Omagh Fund.
Just before 7pm, the Omagh Community Youth Choir will perform the title track from the 'Across the Bridge of Hope' compilation album, which features top Irish artistes, including U2, Sinead O'Connor, Boyzone and the Corrs.
The song itself is based on a touching poem written by 12-year-old Sean McLaughlin, from Buncrana, who died in the Omagh bomb.
Talent
Pupils from seven local schools make up the cross-community choir, bringing together a wealth of musical talent for an emotive and uplifting performance.
The 'Across the Bridge of Hope' album goes on release on Monday.
At 7.10pm Santa will be making his grand entrance, backed by the sounds of the Chevys. There will be the usual fun and games, with, no doubt, a few sweets distributed to the younger members of the public present.
The entertainment continues with a sensational laser light extravaganza getting underway at 7.35pm, lighting up the night sky above Omagh with a dazzling array of festive images and animations.
The laser show, which will be accompanied by music, will form the backdrop to the entire evening's entertainment.
Following in Santa's footsteps, the man whom many people will have come to see, singing star Daniel O'Donnell, will take centre stage for the grand lights switch-on, scheduled for 7.40pm.
He will delight and enthral his many fans by performing a string of his top hits, once Omagh is illuminated.
The Omagh Traders' Association grand draw, run in association with the Crossroads/Killygordon Omagh Fund Committee, of two VIP tickets to New York, courtesy of Aer Lingus, and six nights accommodation in one of the Radisson Group hotels, will also be held.
The evening will be drawn to a close with a musical medley by local zany performer, Rock Stewart, who will be entertaining the crowds in his own inimitable style.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0784
Published Date: 26-Nov-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.