LARGE crowds descended on Northwich on Saturday as the town held its annual Christmas Extravaganza.

Organised and funded by Northwich Business Improvement District (BID) and Northwich Town Council with support from Barons Quay and Northwich Rotary Club, thousands of people visited the town.

Here, they enjoyed the festive attractions and activities including Christmas markets, a craft village, fairground rides and a fun house.

As well as this, revellers joined the Christmas Bauble Trail, visited Santa’s grotto, saw the giant snow globe and listened to performances from Frodsham Community Choir.

Visitors also enjoyed skating in Northwich’s first ice rink, which was located in Barons Quay, and were wowed by acts from Barnton Circus.

All of the afternoon entertainment was capped off by the grand finale, which started with the schools lantern parade and ended with the light switch on and firework display.

For the first time ever, the fireworks were set off from Barons Quay, with crowds lining the street all the way back to Barons Square to see the display light up the Northwich night sky.

Northwich Guardian:

The ice rink proved to be popular

“It was fantastic to see so many people in Northwich for the Extravaganza, and I genuinely do not think that I have ever seen it so busy for an event,” said, Northwich BID chair Michael Thomas.

“As an organisation, we are determined to position Northwich as a destination with a difference and make it an even better place to work, live and visit.

“I would like to say thank you to our many amazing businesses and traders for their support on Saturday and throughout the year.

“Hopefully they saw plenty of visitors on the day that will be back over the festive period.”

Northwich Guardian:

Large crowds gathered in Barons Quay for the event

Sam Naylor, Witton councillor for both Cheshire West and Chester and Northwich Town council, also praised the extravaganza for attracting large numbers into the town centre.

“It was an absolutely brilliant event and I have not heard a negative comment about it,” he said.

“I was there in the town centre with my family who wanted to have a go on the ice rink, and the whole place looked superb.

“A big thank you must go out to all those who helped to organise it as the town was heaving with people.”

Northwich mayor Kevin Rimmer added: “Yet again, the people of Northwich came out in their droves to support another town centre event.

“It was an honour to switch the lights on in the town and I would like to thank all the volunteers, staff and businesses for all their hard work in making this event such a success for the town.”