Rain and storms hold off for New Milton Christmas festival 2022
REVELLERS braved the elements at the weekend as torrential rain came close to cancelling the long-awaited come-back of New Milton's Christmas festival and carnival parade.
But the conditions relented for long enough so the popular event, stopped in previous years by Covid and bad weather, could go ahead with a visit from Santa, procession and entertainment.
Chris Clarke, chair of the Lions Club organising group, told the A&T: “Every day leading up to it was worse than the previous one. The weather really was just crazy.
"I really did not think our event could possibly go ahead but come Friday the clouds started lifting and, thank God, on Saturday the rain held off long enough for everyone to have a good time."
Chris hailed the event as “fantastic”, saying that crowds had “enjoyed a wonderful Christmas atmosphere” in the town.
Several thousand people poured into New Milton to enjoy market stalls offering everything from mulled wine to artisan food, craft gifts and goodies from France.
They were welcomed by "King Lion" who did a grand job bringing a bit of cheer to proceedings.
Many other Lions Club members were involved in making sure the event was a success by helping with organising stallholders, arranging logistics and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
Apart from the stalls, which lined Station Road from one end to the other, festival goers also enjoyed a wide range of food and drink while the town's bars, restaurants and cafes offered shelter from the occasional downpours.
Live entertainment proved popular with many of the audience joining in with songs and dancing in the street.
A Santa’s grotto was well visited by children – with attendants hurrying to hold it down when strong winds occasionally threatened to blow it away.
Organisers had to work well into the night to clear up after the event, by which time the stormy weather had returned in full force.
Chris said: “I crept home like a drowned rat. I have to thank everyone who did such a fantastic job to make the day such a success.”
Buy pictures online at www.photos.iliffemedia.co.uk/p857725644
