Date/Time
Date(s) - 26/11/2011 - 27/11/2011
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Location
Magherafelt District Council
Rainey Street
Magherafelt

BT45 6EN

United Kingdom

Magical Magherafelt!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you’ll find all you ever wanted for Christmas in Magherafelt with a host of festive activities to suit all the family.

Christmas Food Market
Magherafelt District Council is again hosting their Christmas Food and Craft Market on Saturday 26th November at 12 noon – 10pm and continuing on the Sunday 27th November 12 noon – 8pm.  This year the market coincides with the Christmas lights switch on, so the 26th November will truly be a Christmas Extravaganza in Magherafelt!  There will also be festive entertainment over the weekend.  Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that Denis Broderick, Wine and Food Development Consultant, will be attending this year’s event on Saturday 26th November at 7.00 pm.  With over forty years’ experience in the food and wine industry, Denis will be sharing his expertise with visitors on wines for the Christmas period.  Funded by D.A.R.D through the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, the Christmas Market is a truly seasonal experience.

Magherafelt District Council is pleased to host, for the consecutive year the, ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ cookery demonstrations at their Christmas Food and Craft Market. Funded by the Department of the Environment’s Rethink Waste programme, these unique cookery demonstrations aim to show off some innovative ways to reduce food waste in the home. You will find them at the Magherafelt Christmas Food and Craft Market on Saturday 26th November from 2 pm to 8 pm and Sunday 27th November from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Local Butchers are participating in “Battle of the Butchers 2011” a Christmas sausage competition.  Five butchers, McAtamney’s, Moss Brook Farm, Diamond Meats, Meat at Regan’s and McKees are battling it out to be crowned the winner.  Each butcher has created a new festive sausage just in time for Christmas.  These are currently on sale in the participating butchers on the run-up-to the Christmas Food and Craft Market, where the sausages will also be sampled and sold.  So make sure you sample and vote for the one you like best.  Voting papers are available in all participating butchers and can be submitted to each of them, or at The Bridewell or at The Christmas Food Market.  So get voting and help decide who wins the ‘Battle of the Butchers 2011!’

This year also sees the launch of a new competition “The Cup Cake Challenge.”
There will be three categories, “The Most Delicious”, “The Prettiest” and “The Most Festive”. The only criteria for entering the competition is that the Cup Cakes are homemade so get your wooden spoons at the ready and prepare for the ‘Cup Cake Challenge’.  To enter just bring your Cup Cake along to the Craft Marquee before 2 pm on Saturday 26th November.  The winners will be announced on Sunday 27th November at the Christmas Food Market.

Sharon Arbuthnot from Magherafelt Council said, “Magherafelt is historically a thriving market town, and we are really looking forward to hosting our third Christmas Food Market.  Many people are unaware of the quality of the food that is available on their doorsteps, therefore the Christmas market is fundamental in raising awareness of the quality of locally produced food by inspiring and encouraging the visitors to taste and purchase the food.”

Sharon continued, “We would also like to thank the Magherafelt Arts Trust for their participation in the organising of the event, and also to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who have part funded the event through the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.”

Christmas Lights Switch-on & Fireworks Display
On Saturday 26th November join in the celebrations on Broad Street, Magherafelt for a captivating evening with the CoolFM crew.  The festive fun is due to lick off at 7.00pm with Elvis the Elf, free prize giveaways, seasonal stilt walkers, novelty treats, children’s lantern trail and the arrival of Santa in style.  At approximately 8.00 pm Santa and special guests will switch on the lights before the skies are illuminated with an enchanting fireworks display.

Michael Browne from Magherafelt Council said “We would encourage visitors to make an evening of it by taking time to visit the Christmas Food and Craft Market, where they can enjoy festive foods, live Christmas music, colourful decorations and the heated seated area available to relax and absorb the delightful tastes and aromas of the seasonal pleasures – it really is a magical atmosphere that all the family will enjoy.”

For further information visit www.magherafelt.gov.uk,
Follow us on www.facebook.com/magherafelt.council or
contact The Bridewell  T:  028 79631510