HUNDREDS of people braved the weather to come together at Bailey Head on Thursday evening to watch local schoolchildren switch on Oswestry's Christmas lights.
The rain and the delay did not stop Oswestrians from enjoying the great atmosphere around the tree, singing and laughing while waiting for the lights to come on.
Councillor Jay Moore, Oswestry town mayor, ditched the traditional 'celebrity appearance' and asked local schools to "nominate champions" that have done good things for the town.
"Rather than having just the Mayor or a celebrity, I wanted to have the community switch it on," he said.
"Unless we can get someone like The Rock or Ryan Reynolds, I think it's nice to keep the opportunity for the people of Oswestry."
The traditional stalls and refreshments returned to the Bailey Head and further down Bailey Street, alongside the independent cafes, with mulled wine, food and other treats to keep the people going while they waited.
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A grandmother, Avril Jones, and her daughter, Rachel Laurie, were enjoying a cup of hot chocolate at Aroma Cafe, while waiting for their little one to come back from playing with his friends, to head down together toward the busy square.
Rachel said: "We brought my son down to see the light switch, and we wanted to get out for a few hours, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.
"We hoped that the rain was going to hold off a little, but that didn't happen."
At the event, children choirs, performers, dancers and musicians, such as local teenage bands The Axe Lads and Small Furry Animals, entertained the crowd while they waited.
Although the light switch-on was originally planned to happen at 6pm, there was an unforeseen 30-minute delay.
While waiting the children also had a chance to spend time with Santa Claus, Grinch, and other characters, Olaf, Michelangelo the Ninja Turtle and Paw Patrol.
The Light Switch on was the start of the Christmas season, as the festivities will carry on with the town council's Christmas Live event on December 2, and the local Rotary Clubs' Winter Parade on December 3.
The lights will stay on from now until the end of the season, for everyone to enjoy.
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