Vanilla Ice Switches on Rochester Christmas Lights

American rapper, Vanilla Ice, this evening switched on the Christmas Lights in Rochester Castle Gardens. 

On a stage outside the entrance to the castle keep, the star guest held a ten second countdown to 4.30pm, before flipping the switch that turned on not only the Dickens Christmas Market lights in the castle gardens, but also those in the high street. And amid the twinkling lights, snow began to fall - looking remarkably realistic, I have to say!

A massive crowd packed in to enjoy the opening evening of the market, well, when I say packed, I mean kettled, stuffed as we were in one avenue before the castle steps! I'm going to be a bit picky - only a tiny minority of the huge crowd there could actually see anything - and Ice's bouncer was blocking out the spotlight on him - maybe they could have put the button at the top of the steps, so those at the back could get a look, yes? And the timing was pretty sharpish - I'm told it wasn't quite 4.30pm. I know myself there were still people trying to park; I went up and down Corporation Street twice and landed up back on Star Hill. And why so early for the lantern parade? Of course, with most of the schools closed, families could get down there early. My son's school, on the other hand, stayed open, hence the struggle to park and make it on time! Ok, rant over. But think about it for next year, please, dear council!

A former Dancing on Ice star, Vanilla Ice, real name Rob Van Winkle (how perfect for a panto star!) plays Captain Hook in the Central Theatre's production of Peter Pan. The run starts on 8th December and carries on until January 2nd. See the Medway What's on site for more information. According to Wikipedia, Rob is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality - I thought they'd stopped people making stuff up?! Oh, that is actually true!