Christmas Parade

I am told that technically, the annual show that kickstarts Christmas in Swansea is the 'Lord Mayor's Christmas Parade', but nobody ever calls it that, nor is there any reason to do so. After a disappointing parade last year, the Councils events team took over for 2019 and produced an outstanding exhibition of all that is best about Swansea.

It was a cast of thousands with 3 Welsh Wing Marching Band, and Royal Air Force Air Cadets in the lead, and entertainment from Loughor Town Band, Bloco Vale Samba, Swansea Pipe Band and Swansea Silver Rhythmaries.

There were more than 500 young performers from Swansea drama and dance groups, including Mellin Theatre Arts, Swansea Dance Twerk Team, Acting Up Theatre Company/Maria Evans Academy, Company J, Barton Dance Academy, Zumba with Sion, Bernadette Jones School of Irish Dance, Swansea Dancing Samba, Bonymaen Kids Play Initiative, Class Act Theatre School, Jermin Productions, Rising Stars, Joan Williams Stage School plus Swansea Little Theatre and the Carly Lewis School of Dance. They performed festive themes ranging from the Swan Lake ballet to modern street dance to Christmas trees and shining stars.

And there were many familiar characters including Cinderella, Snow White, Elsa from Frozen, Spiderman, Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Toy Story’s Woody, Buzz and Jess as well as Santa on his sleigh. 

The Lady Mayoress and I were in the centre of the parade in a borrowed BMW 8 series convertible, which was a bit cramped. We didn't see much of the parade and missed the light switch-on and the fireworks, but it was worth it to see the delight on hundreds of children's faces as we went past sandwiched between a balloon North Pole and a lit-up land train.

All the photos in this post were taken as we got ready to embark. I am sure that many more will appear on the council's social media pages and in the local media.