It’ll be jingle all the way in Armagh this weekend as a Santa Sleigh Run will add a splash of colour to the city.
The Christmas Light Parade and Senior Citizens Party may have fallen victim of Covid-19, but not to be totally thwarted – and thanks to funding from the Big Lottery – Pearse Og, Armagh Harps and West Armagh Consortium community groups have got together to deliver this fantastic event instead.
Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, it will be a drive through event and Santa will be visiting as many areas as possible.
Starting off at 6pm from Pearse Og Park, the route on December 19 is as follows: Legar Hill/Callanbridge Park –Ard Rí /Mullacreevie – St. Patrick’s Park 6.10pm. Killylea Road/ Navan Court- Umgola Rd- Tullymore Downs 6.15pm.Monaghan Rd-Greenpark- Gregagh Gardens- Rock Road-Rockfields 6.20pm. Demesne Park- Limestone-McAnearneys 6.30pm. Dalton-Drumarg-Killylea Rd- Nialls Crescent-Ring Road-St.Malachys- Navan St 6.40pm. Druids Villas-Culdee St- Irish St-Ogle St-Scotch St-Barrack St-Gaol Square 6.50pm. Mall West-College St- Abbey St- Callan St 7.05pm- Convent Rd- Cathedral Road- Edward St- Dawson St-Shambles-7.15pm.Desert lane- Hermitage- Glen Macha-7.20pm -Callanbridge Road-Nursery Road- Killylea Rd-Ballycrummy Road- Pearse Og Park
These are approximate times, but organisers are hoping that people will come out to greet Santa and spread a bit of good Christmas cheer.
The December 20 Santa Sleigh Run will focus on different areas in the town starting of at Harps Grounds at 5pm, then on to Drumbreda-Longstone- Alexander 5.15pm. Lisanally -SRC college 5.20pm. Railway St- Banbrook Hill-Shambles 5.25pm. English St- College St- Mall West- Gaol Square-5.35pm. Barrack Hill-Orangefield-Ballynahone-Ardmore 5. 45pm.Greenfields- Thornleigh-Newry Road-Cavanacaw Rd 5.55pm. Woodford- Newry Road- Ashley 6.10pm. Folly-Barrack Hill-Gough Avenue 6. 20pm.Gaol Square 6. 25pm.Mall East-Russell St-Shambles- Railway St- Loughall Rd – Harps Club.6.40pm.
Again, these are approximate times, and it is hoped people in these areas will come out to greet Santa.
Said a spokesperson: “Santa will not be on his own. We are expecting a number of vehicles to follow behind including on the Saturday night featuring Jo Jo’s Spotlight studio with a Christmas scene and on Sunday a rendition of Peter Kay/Geraldine McQueen’s Once Upon A Christmas. This will be performed by four local community volunteers who are raising funds for Newry Hospice.
“As part of the same programme and working with local community groups, volunteers will be delivering Christmas dinners to pensioners in areas throughout the town.
“”The children will not miss out either as Santa will be dropping off chocolate pressies with community groups for distribution to our younger citizens.”
