Rochefort: no ice rink but daily Christmas entertainment from December 9

The fact remains that the absence of ice will leave a young Rochefortaise orphan and slightly worried traders. “It’s true that with its 25,000 admissions, the ice rink generated significant commercial benefits, notes Gérard Pons. The manager of a famous sports brand told me that it brought him, over the period, 30% of customers from La Rochelle. »

Against bad luck, good heart. And Hervé Blanché does not want to hear about a degraded offer. “It will be a different offer, comments the mayor. It will be a little more for families, tourists or visitors. I know that young people will miss the ice rink but they will still have the skate park to keep busy during the holidays. You have to stay positive. »

A Christmas in light

In order to bring some respite to the population in this period, at the very least anxiety-provoking, it was necessary to show imagination to animate without (too much) spending. The City has bet everything on a “cocooning” Christmas and has certainly not overlooked the traditional illuminations. “That’s not what costs the most, continues Hervé Blanché. Over the whole Christmas period, the bill amounts to 2,000 euros. For the past few days, we have also been switching off public lighting in the city center between 2 and 6 am (5 am on market days). The fact is that instead of the usual 100,000 euros spent, the budget for this Christmas 2022 will only be 50,000 euros. It is the municipal agents who are currently carrying out the development of Place Colbert.

In a forest of fir trees and chalets do you want some installed on the place Colbert, the animations will follow one another from December 9 to 31 at a hellish pace and in coordination with the association of traders Action heart of the city or the shops on rue de la République.

Traders in action

Traditionally, Action coeur de ville will offer its little train, its giant stuffed animals, its pony rides, an ambulatory show and “The Snow Queen” on Friday 23 December. On the rue de la République side, the space will be returned to pedestrians on December 4, 11, 17 and 18 to make way for entertainment. “Our goal is to create a dynamic flow in our street, explains Victoria Goron who is part of the group of 30 merchants in the district. This year, the Christmas entertainment will be qualitative because there are very invested newcomers. A big Christmas unpacking, a snack, a photo contest for the ugliest sweater, stories and mulled wine will be on the street.

Because the goal is still to bring customers to the city center. “There will be something different every day,” insists Gérard Pons. Simple but effective, like a return to basics…

Highlights

The launch of the festivities will take place on Friday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. rue Audry-de-Puyravault with a parade of Christmas elves and a mulled wine served by elected officials. Saturday December 10, “Voices”, a gospel concert, will be given at 6:30 p.m. It is a stroll with the Baby brass band fanfare that will host Sunday December 11 at 3 p.m. As for the group Poussez pas mémé, it will be present on Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. Like an electro signature, a Stereopark evening with DJ Seagma will liven up Place Colbert on Saturday December 17 at 7 p.m. Make way for the musical, on Sunday December 18 at 3 p.m. with the local company Ecma. A fire show will warm hearts on Monday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. with the company L’arche en sel. Several wanderings will liven up the streets on December 20, 23, 28 and 29 with Le Snob, Noël au balcon, Batucada and the passing angels on stilts. Finally, a snowstorm disco evening will close the festivities on Friday, December 30 at 6:30 p.m. Finally, three fireworks will punctuate the season with a rendezvous every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The complete program of Christmas in celebrations is to be found on the city’s website. In addition, 5,000 hard copy programs will be distributed.