Feeling Festive with the Kendal Santa Dash

Christmas does seem to get earlier every year in the shops but to me it's not proper Christmas until Advent. However yesterday it was the Christmas light switch on in Kendal with the Santa Dash and lots of entertainment. 

It was a damp, mizzling day which meant a lower turn out for the Santa Dash but my son and I were keen to get going:

Honest he was keen!

After warming up with a local dance troupe the town crier set us off for the dash through the streets of Kendal. There were a few surprised faces from people who obviously weren't expecting a crowd of Santas and reindeer to be on the pavements! My son was much faster than last year and in fact about a third of the way round I gave up trying to run at his pace and went back to my normal steady one...

We went along one side of the river and then went over 2 bridges to end up back at Abbott Hall where Santa's reindeer were waiting to see us:

My son was an amazing 5th whilst I was about 10th but the first lady! We retired to the cafe for a well earned snack:

Then we went back outside where Santa was preparing to board his sleigh whilst Kendal Concert Band played festive tunes:

The magic of it all still gripped my 7 year old:

Then we got into a good position to follow Santa back into town:

The Queen Katherine School samba band led the procession up the road. Then we listened to more music before the big countdown to Santa turning on the lights. By this time my phone battery had gone flat so no more photos... There was a big crowd now despite the damp and there was a huge cheer when the lights went on. So now Christmas shopping can properly begin as we have festive lights!

We ran in aid of Cancer Care so if you want to sponsor my son's fabulous achievement then please pop over here:  

Christmas Lights

One of the signs that Christmas is getting closer is when the Christmas lights are switched on in shopping areas. For Kendal this took place yesterday and a good crowd always turn up. This year my children and I took part in the first part of the activities by joining in the Santa Dash for Cancer Care and raised over £100! We all had festive costumes and were warmed up by Lakeland Radio for the 3/4 mile dash to K Village:

My Santa outfit!

Children with Yakkers and Dan Beale from Lakeland

 

My daughter shot off at the start and I could only see her at a distance for the next 10 minutes! Luckily my mum was at the finish line to watch us run in:

 

 

It was such a fun atmosphere running through the streets in a Santa suit! Then we escorted Santa and his reindeer back towards the town centre. We left him at Abbott Hall to get a prime spot for the actual switch on. Whilst waiting we saw the cutest ever Christmas puppy:

 

 

Lakeland radio put on entertainment from local acts including Steven Hall who was a finalist in Britain's Got Talent last year. He performed a Christmas routine for us all:

 

 

There wa also singing from winners of our local star search competiton and the school choir of the year. Much to the audience amusement the power went of just as the switch was due to be flicked! Luckily we had our own illuminations:

 

 

It was a fun afternoon and not even a shower of rain dampened our fun. We truly know that it's not long to Christmas now so I'd better start getting organised...