Reindeer parade marks the start of the festive season

Reindeer Parade

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The magic of the festive season came to Rochdale on Sunday (4 December) for the annual Father Christmas and Reindeer Parade.

Families turned out in full force, despite torrential rain, to catch a glimpse of the reindeer and the man himself.

Led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Father Christmas paraded down Yorkshire Street in his sleigh, pulled by his trusty reindeer.

Littleborough Brass Band followed playing Christmas carols; they were joined by colourful street theatre and children from Alice Ingham RC Primary School, St Thomas CE Primary School and Castleton Primary School.

Debbie O’Brien, Town Centre Manager, said: “I am amazed at how many people have come considering the torrential rain.

“It has been fantastic, a real success and it is lovely for the children.

“The reindeer parade starts Christmas off for real.”

The parade concluded on The Butts where children could feed the reindeer in their pen and meet Father Christmas.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson, said: “There is a really good turnout considering the weather – but we can’t book the weather.

“The parade is really good for the children they all seem to like it and of course it brings people in to the town; with a bit of luck in a while they will all disperse in to the shops and spend some money.”

The Mayoress, Gillian Brown, added: “I spoke to some children who have only seen reindeers in photos and thought they weren’t real so it’s really good for them.”