Boston-area village marks return of festive season (IN PICTURES)

The annual Swineshead Christmas Festival returned on Saturday (December 14) for two days of Yuletide merriment.

On the Saturday, a Christmas Market took over the village centre, with an array of attractions spread across the Market Place, Church Hall and St Mary’s Church.

The festivities continued on Sunday with the annual Santa Parade, in which Santa took a tour of the village.

A spokesman for the Swineshead Christmas Festival Committee said: “We are absolutely thrilled with how the weekend went. The support from the community, volunteers, performers and local businesses has been incredible, and it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the festivities. Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without the dedication of so many people working behind the scenes.”

The committee extended special thanks to the performers and contributors who helped bring the festival to life, including the Allen School of Dance, Karen Clare, Abi Clayton as The Ice Queen herself Elsa, Gary Santer, Sean and Chelcei Trafford, Laura Hudson, Windy Miller, Bluey, and Leon Glover.

Thanks were also given to Strategic Vehicle Solutions, which donated a Ford Ranger to tow Santa’s sleigh for the Santa Parade.

Organisers also used the weekend to promote the upcoming Swineshead Pantomime, titled ‘Swineshead’s Got Talent (Maybe)’, which will take place at Swineshead Village Hall on December 28 and 30, at 3pm and 6pm respectively. Thanks to a generous donation from the Swineshead Benevolent Fund, accompanied children under 12 can attend for free.