Congratulating everyone for putting so much work into the extravaganza, he said: "Berry Lane is looking brilliant".
Blessed with a clear, crisp night, members of Longridge Band began to play, the crowd began to swell, horse and buggy and donkey rides got under way, Father Christmas arrived in town, carollers started to sing and all was merry.
Shops were packed and people jostled for positions to hear the carollers and watch the dancers and queue for the hog roast or to meet Santa in his grotto.
To shop on such a perfect night, and at Christmas time, with the festive lights, decorations and Christmas cheer was always going to be a winner.
But Longridge has become a town to be reckoned with when it comes to shopping – particularly for gifts.
There is an abundance of shops both old and new, boasting every type of gift imaginable, and at prices to suit all budgets.
Shopkeepers have gone that extra mile to provide something just a little different and a warm welcome awaited wherever you went – with light refreshments thrown in too, be it mince pies, canapés, hot chocolate or mulled wine.
In fact, to visit every shop or business that had opened its doors for the extravaganza and to enjoy all the entertainment available within the allotted three hours was an almost impossible feat.
"Longridge provides unique, boutique shopping," said one shopkeeper, while another added: "We always try hard to supply something a bit different."
There was even a suggestion there should be a themed weekend in the run-up to Christmas, possibly Victorian, to encourage more people into town, particularly the elderly who are not so keen to come out at night.
And for those who wanted to retire with their bundles of shopping for a sit and sustenance, there was plenty of choice both during the event and afterwards.
Organiser Dianne Despard, said: "Thursday saw yet again another fantastic extravaganza. The atmosphere was magical, I walked from the top of Berry Lane to the bottom.
It was great to see the top of Berry Lane really buzzing this year and again the hog roast at the Towneley was a tremendous success, with all proceeds being donated to Zambia.
"The youth club pulled all the stops out with their plethora of various activities and all the shops appeared to be doing really good trade.
"I finished the evening with a few mulled wines and dancing to 'One Hand Clapping' in the Forrest Arms. What a fantastic start to Christmas! Special thanks to all concerned."