The spectacular and dazzling affair of Newark's evening Christmas market in pictures
Newark’s evening Christmas market was a dazzling affair that saw townspeople pointing and filming in awe at the spectacle.
If you took a walk into the Newark Market Place on Sunday evening you would have been met by the joy of traditional morris dancers, before having your gaze stolen by one of the many other extravagant street performances.
From giant elves, fairies and angels on stilts and sailors to festive and quirky stalls, live music and delicious food and drink — it was all happening at the first evening market for 20 years.
The ultimate show-stopper came at around 6.20pm when more than 100 Steampunkers — dressed to the nines in their fancy costume — processed from Kirkgate into the market with flaming torches. A road closure was put in place.
Newark Town Council markets manager Ian Harrison said the evening event, which amassed more than 100 stalls, was the busiest Christmas market in memory and offered a sense of hope and happiness after last year’s festivities were cancelled because of coronavirus.
“It was an amazing market and all went according to plan,” he said. “Although we find Newark’s cobbles are always challenging to people on stilts.
“The hope and intention was to really feed off the historical heritage we have here in the town centre and to showcase it — and there is nothing better than loads of Steampunkers parading with torches.”
Mr Harrison added he wanted to thank Newark Steampunk Society members for their spirit and the ambience created at the event.
“We think this event gave the Newark community a spiritual boost and it was possibly the busiest Christmas market in memory,” he said.
“It was a beautiful atmosphere without one single negative incident.
“Going forward, we are looking to do this again.
“We know this market was different to the Lincoln one, but we have had people saying ours offered something else entirely.”
