Pictures: Crook winter light parade brightens up the night

Crook was aglow yesterday evening (November 26) and filled with festive joy for its annual Christmas light switch-on and winter light parade.

Amongst the parade were dragons, worms and ethereal human-like characters accompanied by music

Beginning at Glenholme Drive, the parade ended at Crook Civic Centre with a loud and vibrant finale by Durham group Jack Drum Arts.

Helen Wood, director of the company, said this year's event is the “biggest yet” and involved 75 children from 5 different schools, and 85 band members.

“It’s all gone really well this year,” She added. “The main worry each time is the weather but we’ve been lucky this year!”

Following the musical ending to the proceedings, the gathered audience joined in for a thrilling countdown for the Christmas light switch-on which lit up all the trees just after 6pm.

As for another parade next year, it all comes down to funding according to organisers, who this year received donations from Durham County Council’s Levelling Up fund among others.

Amanda Coates attended the event with her family and praised what it does for the local community each year.

“It has been fantastic, and it seems to be getting bigger and better every year”, she said.

“It brings business to the area and there have even been people travelling from Bishop Auckland to be here. It is quite a nice thing to see.”

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Another group of people who travelled into Crook for the evening was Heather Sandler, Heather Hardy and Ralph Bliss, who thought the event had a real “lovely, community feel”.

Heather, from York, admitted she came to town “just for this” as she agreed with her companions that the evening was “fabulous”.

Another highlight that attendees mentioned was the Defty’s Christmas window – a tradition that the owners have kept up for ten years that sparkled to passers-by as they were leaving.

Here are some pictures of the event – can you spot yourself?

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crook winter light parade 2023. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)