Mansfield Town FC chair and chief executive to switch on town's Christmas lights this weekend

The club's chief Executive Carolyn Redford and chairman John Radford will be joined by their children Hugo, 4, and Rupert and Albert, both 3, at Sunday's event. The football club's main sponsor, One Call Insurance, is the biggest sponsor of Christmas in Mansfield this year.

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Carolyn Radford said: "I'm so proud to be sponsoring this year's Christmas in Mansfield event. It is vitally important that local businesses all come together for these community events to help make Mansfield the very special place that it is." As well as switching on the lights, One Call is also sponsoring the town's first ice rink, which is funded by Mansfield District Council. The ice rink in the Market Place will be open from November 30 to December 31.

Thousands of people are expected to join the festivities at the Big Switch On this Sunday November 18 from 10am to 5pm, which will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display after the lights are switched on.

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Other attractions at the all-day party include children's character Peter Rabbit who will be making personal appearances at the Four Seasons Shopping Centre at intervals throughout the afternoon and at the live stage show in the Market Place, too.The show will star Mansfield's own opera star, Alexandra Stenson, Gary Barlow tribute act Dan Hadfield and Nottingham duo Brotherhood, performing a collection of covers and Christmas classics.In addition, the show will feature appearances from the cast of Mansfield Palace Theatre's panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Santa himself, as well as a spectacular laser show. The timetable for the day is:

10am – Santa’s Grotto opens at the Four Seasons10am onwards – Snow White Christmas trail in town centre

10am – 5pm - I love Mansfield Christmas Market

11am – 3pm - Children’s activities at the Four Seasons

2pm – Silverbirds Marching Band in Market Place2pm – Walkabout street entertainers in the Market Place

3pm – 3.25pm Children’s party in Market Place

3.25pm – 5pm Stage show in Market Place

4.55pm (approx) Switch On and fireworks – in Market Place Cllr Dave Saunders, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: "It will be a great day out for all the family and the perfect start to Christmas in Mansfield.

"We've been blown away by how much support we've had from the local business community and are very grateful for everything from the small donations right up to the larger sponsorship packages - it all helps to bring the magic of Christmas to Mansfield."

There will also be a month-long Christmas Market on Westgate, organised by Mansfield BID with financial support from the council.

The Switch On event is organised and funded by the council with support from Mansfield 103.2 and Four Seasons Shopping Centre.