By Molly Taylor
A REVAMPED NF McDonnell and Sons Mount Gambier Christmas Parade plans to transform Blue Lake Sports Park into Santa’s Boulevard.
Due to COVID-19 requirements, Mount Gambier City Council made the decision to alter the traditional day event and instead form a static night-based drive-through display of Christmas floats and festive lighting arrangements.
Council community events team leader Denise Richardson said there was still a need to celebrate and publicly mark the occasion.
Ms Richardson said although it would be different, she hoped people would still keep their Christmas spirits high and enjoy their time.
“There will be lights everywhere … Christmas music will be playing through the whole boulevard to provide the Christmas feel,” she said.
“We have tried to incorporate as much as we can, to still make it somewhat of a parade.
“I think it will be a bit of a different atmosphere and it is a bit unique using lighting more so during than in the day when we generally use colour.”
The floats plan to be lined up on the eastern side of the park’s main access road, with the public invited to drive on the western side to view the display.
Ms Richardson said Limestone Coast education sites had been invited to participate in the parade and an alternative arrangement had been organised.
Almost 20 education sites will be decorating individual Christmas trees, donated courtesy of OneFortyOne, which will be centred on the boulevard’s median strip.
“The Christmas parade would not be what it is without our schools, so we approached sites to see whether they were still interested in participating and being part of the parade,” Ms Richardson said.
“Even though the schools will not be involved with the floats this year they are helping us celebrate.”
In doing research for the event’s 60th anniversary last year, Ms Richardson said the student tree decorating idea was first introduced during the parade’s earlier years.
“When going through the archives, I found schools used to come together and decorate various Christmas trees in the City Hall,” Ms Richardson said.
“When I read about that, I thought it was actually one way we could re-involve the schools safely.
“It is an uptake in school involvement as well and it could be an added bonus to look at next year.”
St Martins Kindergarten is one education facility which will be involved in the event this year through the decoration of its own Christmas tree.
Site teacher Rebekah Scott said the kindergarten had been associated with the parade for decades and it was always highly regarded by families and children.
“We are really glad the council has thought of a way to celebrate Christmas in a safe way,” Ms Scott said.
“We have always loved participating in the parade. It is always super exciting to get dressed up and on the truck. We are looking forward to again being involved even if this year is not going to be the same.”
Ms Scott said it would be all hands on deck in the coming weeks to start preparing decorations and ideas for the kindergarten’s tree.
“Children will be helping to tell the story of the First Christmas. We are thinking of using lots of glitter and creating some decorations to get the children involved,” Ms Scott said.
NF McDonnell and Sons’ Timber Toy Town float and Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West’s Father Christmas Float have both been revamped and a new float, which is yet to be publicly revealed, is also undergoing rapid formation.
The revised event will be free entry and held from 7pm to 10pm on November 21 and 22 with 15 floats on display including crowd favourites Bill the Steam Shovel, Teddy’s Bears Picnic and Father Christmas.
Entry to the event will be via vehicle from Dohle Road with exit at Jubilee Highway East.
