Santa and his reindeer visit Rochdale

Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 06 December 2009

Yorkshire Street was packed top to bottom today (Sunday 6 December) with families eagerly awaiting Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Real reindeer and a sleigh carrying Father Christmas led the parade followed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, children from Shawclough Primary School and Alice Ingham RC Primary School, a brass band and a giant Christmas pudding.

Town Centre Manager, Debbie O’Brien, said: “This is a great parade and it is nice to see so many local children. It is a really good opportunity to start Christmas off and it is a really popular day.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift, said: “The Town Centre Management team worked with the Council to put on a great show for the Christmas lights this year and the reindeer parade is a terrific attraction to get shoppers into Rochdale on a Sunday and to take advantage of all the bargains on offer in the shops.”

At the end of the parade the Reindeer remained at The Butts for children to see and there was also a children’s funfair.

Sharon O’Connor watched the parade with her son Elliot, she said: “It is great entertainment for the children, the reindeer are brilliant. It is a really great day and my son loves it.”