WAS this Ivybridge’s best ever Christmas Festival? That must surely be the question on the lips of anyone who was in the town on Friday evening.

The switching on of Fore Street’s Christmas lights has become a big event in recent years, and Friday’s might have been the biggest yet.

As darkness fell hundreds if not thousands of residents and visitors took to the streets to enjoy the festive shopping, food and drink and entertainment on offer. There was live music and street entertainment, donkeys and Father Christmas’ express train, and a fantastic parade with carnival floats.

The lights themselves were switched on with great fanfare at 7pm by the cast of The New Jersey Boys, on their way to a performance at The Watermark.

Mayor of Ivybridge David Gray-Taylor said: ’The whole evening was a great success and I must pay tribute to Julie Gilbert of the town council who works tirelessly to make it all run so smoothly.

’It also wouldn’t be possible without the help of all the volunteers such as the Lions and the Girlguides, along with local businesses, staff and councillors from the town council. A fantastic evening and a fabulous turnout – the crowds seemed to be bigger than ever and I hope it is the start of a good Christmas for our Ivybridge traders.’

Chairman of Ivybridge Chamber of Commerce and proprietor of Footnote shoe shop Pat White added: ’It was very well supported by everyone, there were a lot of people down here, it was nice weather, and there was lots to do.

’Lots of the shops were open, and some were giving out mince pies and mulled wine, which went down well. Loads of people popped in to say hello and bought bits and pieces. It wasn’t late night shopping, but it did give people the chance to come down and get to know us.’

Pat also said that next Saturday, December 3 at 1.15pm, 100 Father Christmases will be riding through Ivybridge, part of the ’Santas on a Bike’ ride in aid of Children’s Hospice South West - something that should be ’awesome to see’.