Dragons duo Cory Hill and Aaron Wainwright were given the honour of switching on Newport’s Christmas lights.
The star pair officially launched the festive season in the city on Saturday, November 16 after the Dragons had defeated Castres in the European Challenge Cup.
Aaron and Cory helped the mayor of Newport, Councillor William J Routley – plus Father Christmas - switch on the city centre’s Christmas lights at the Newport Bid-run Countdown to Christmas event.
This year the event also featured music from choir Only Men Aloud, West End star Sophie Evans and rising Newport indie rocker Jack Perrett.
The Countdown to Christmas was full of music, fairground rides, celebrity guests and cartoon characters, and culminated in the official switching on of Newport’s extended city centre Christmas lights and a breathtaking fireworks display.
Newport Now BID manager Kevin Ward said: “We were delighted that Aaron and Cory were able to switch on Newport’s Christmas lights this year.
“Aaron is a Newport boy who thrilled the nation at the recent World Cup and Cory is a key player for the Dragons and Wales. Their appearance brought even more crowds into the city centre for Countdown to Christmas.”
