Supported by DLR County Council and Shankill Business Group, the event was a wonderful celebration of the Christmas spirit and the result of local initiative and hard work.
A wide range of surprises, from Santa’s Grotto, the Petting Farm and the Festive Market Stalls to the Kids' Zone and live music took place from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., marked midway by Santa's appearance driven by who else but John Brady, owner of Brady's Pub. While waiting for Santa, everyone went around the market stalls to buy Christmas gifts. The already well-known Shankill calendars, which are done every year by the award-winning Shankill Tidy Towns team and feature photos sent by the village's professional and amateur photographers, were on sale as well.Here is a special photo we took with the permission of the Shankill Tidy Towns team. We are proud to share it with everyone and to say a big congratulations to them for their amazing work in the village, which this year brought them the overall prize winner of the 2016 Tidy Districts Competition.
All the children were extremely excited to meet with some famous Star Wars characters as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who made many friends in the street and brought lots of smiles and hi-fives.
At 3:30 p.m. Santa showed up in the village and was welcomed by everyone as the rightful bringer of joy, gifts and childhood memories.
A huge thank you and well done to the organisers.
Now the Christmas spirit has officially arrived in the village!
