Five bands from Swansea will help set the festive tempo for this year’s city centre Christmas parade.
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They will join hundreds of other local people in the parade on the evening of Sunday, November 17.
They are: the 3 Welsh Wing Marching Band, Royal Air Force Air Cadets; the Loughor Town Band; the Bloco Vale Samba; the Swansea Silver Rhythmaires; the City of Swansea Pipe Band.
They all accepted a Swansea Council invitation to entertain thousands of spectators in the parade.
They will join a wide range of other participants, including local youth dance and theatre groups, organisations with eye-catching floats, professional entertainers – and Santa.
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Together, they will help deliver a general Christmas theme and entertain the crowds.
The council’s Special Events team – behind successes such as the annual Wales Airshow – is organising the free event to usher in a busy festive season for shoppers, businesses, residents and visitors.
Doreen Bell, of the Silver Rhythmaires who have more than 20 members and rehearse regularly at Clase Community Centre, said: “We’re thrilled to be taking part in this year’s parade – it should be a wonderful community event.
“We took part in a lot of Swansea Christmas parades in the early 1980s and again in 2017 so it’ll be nice to be back!”
Dorian Mardon, band secretary of the Loughor Town Band, said: “We’re delighted to be invited to take part in this year’s parade. We’re looking forward to it and hope everyone has a great time.”
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The bands will bring real colour and sound to the parade – I look forward to seeing them in action.
“They want to give the crowds some great festive entertainment and they’ll help ensure that the parade becomes a great addition to the city’s 50th anniversary celebrations.”
Swansea’s 2019 Christmas Parade and Lights Switch-on is due to take place from 5pm on November 17.
The route will be from the Dylan Thomas centre, up Wind Street, Castle Street and High Street, into Alexandra Road, down Orchard Street and along The Kingsway.
The council’s main Christmas attractions include the annual Christmas Street Market, largely in Oxford Street, from November 15’ and Santa’s Grotto, in Oxford Street, from November 16.
Waterfront Winterland, being delivered by Sayers Events and 11th Hour in partnership with the council, is due to take place on Museum Park from November 15 to January 5.
