Remember Christmas 1994? It was the year that Mariah Carey and her cover of All I Want For Christmas Is You were pipped to the festive No 1 slot in the UK by East 17 and Stay Another Day.
Now, 27 years and 11 months after that success, Walthamstow’s finest, and possibly only, boy band will be recreating some of their 90s chart-topping pop magic on stage at The Big Switch On, Mansfield’s free Christmas lights switch on event in the town's Market Place on Sunday 27 November.
The band, named after the postcode of the East London district in which they grew up, notched up 18 top-20 singles and four top-10 albums in the 1990s, and were seen at the time as ‘bad boy’ rivals to the squeaky clean Take That.
They will be the headline act in the switch-on stage show, hosted by local radio station Mansfield 103.2FM from 3pm to 5.05pm, and which also features the 90s sounds of singer Suki Soul.
There will be entertainment around the town centre all day with walkabout entertainers, free giveaways and a party atmosphere, finished off with a spectacular firework display.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “After two years when Christmas community events were drastically curtailed due to the pandemic we’re returning with a bang this year!
“We are beyond excited to have top selling band East 17 as part of our festive celebration line-up and we hope to see the Market Place brimming with happy faces and enjoying a nostalgic singalong. Start warming up your vocals!”
Visitors to the switch-on will also be able take youngsters to Santa's Grotto at the Four Seasons Shopping Centre and browse stalls at Mansfield Christmas Market in West Gate, hosted by Mansfield BID.
The 15-chalet market runs from Saturday 26 November, to Wednesday 21 December and is a central part of the Bringing Christmas to Mansfield offer.
Another Christmas Market will be held from Friday, 2 December, to Sunday, 4 December, at Mansfield Museum, with over 35 traders expected to take stalls. For enquiries about booking a stall: email mansfieldmuseum@mansfield.gov.uk.
In addition, there will be various "ambient" attractions in the town centre in the build-up to 25 December, including a 30ft responsibly sourced Norway Spruce Christmas tree, which is set to take pride of place in the Market Place from 14 November.
This year's sponsor of the tree is car dealer Ron Brooks, which has been operating in the town for over 60 years at Toyota Mansfield and Suzuki Mansfield, on Oak Tree Lane.
Christmas lighting features will include a 7.5m light tunnel leading to an illuminated Old Town Hall where people can post a letter to Father Christmas or drop off gifts for the council's Secret Santa Appeal which is being delivered by the council this year in collaboration with the Mansfield Building Society.
For the Big Switch On, we would like to let residents know that at the end of the stage event, from 5pm until 5.05pm there will be a 5 minute firework display from the top of Walkden Street car park.
Due to this we highly recommend attendees do not bring dogs/ pets to this event.
If you live close by the town centre and have pets and are concerned for their wellbeing and safety, the RSPCA provide expertise and have expansive advice on how to keep your pet safe and calm during a firework display- https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks (opens in new window)
The appeal, to support families in need, is being launched today (27 October) and returns following its success in 2020 and 2021.
Members of the public can donate a range of gifts, including toys, board games, colouring books, hats and scarves, chocolates, biscuits, bath sets, male grooming sets, pyjamas and socks. The items must be new and unused for health and safety purposes.
They can be dropped off until Monday 28 November at: the Old Town Hall; Civic Corner café, Mansfield Civic Centre; Four Seasons Shopping Centre; Ravensdale Children’s Centre; Mansfield Woodhouse Children’s Centre; Ladybrook Children’s Centre; Warsop Children’s Centre; Mansfield Museum; and Smyths Toys, Portland Retail Park, Mansfield.
The presents will be distributed, through Mansfield Children’s Centre Service and Family Action FOOD Clubs, to families and people in need in time for Christmas.
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