FESTIVE cheer dominated the Millicent landscape over the weekend as the community gathered at the rotunda to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.
More than 600 people gathered on the parklands on Saturday evening for the Millicent Lights Up event.
A variety of activities kept children entertained during the three hour event, including a jumping castle, songs and dances by Mainly Music, mini-golf and games managed by Scouts and the Guides.
Just after 7pm, Father Christmas and his helpers arrived to hear the Christmas wishlist of children, pose for photographs and hand out confectionery.
Millicent Business Community Association chair Lee Morgan heralded the pre-Christmas festival as a resounding success.
“The feedback from the operators was overwhelmingly positive and the kids definitely enjoyed themselves in a safe environment,” he said.
“No doubt the children would have slept well on Saturday night.
“I would have to say that I slept well Saturday night, knowing the MBCA has again been successful in encouraging all sectors of the community to contribute towards the primary Christmas event for Millicent this year.”
The Lions Club of Millicent, Millicent Rotary and Millicent Lioness Club ensured attendees were well fed with hot food and drinks available.
Lion Graham Arney said the service club sold out of hot food early in the evening.
“We did not have a lot of hamburgers or sausages because we thought a lot of people might have eaten before they arrived,” he said.
“We sold virtually 100 sausages and 50 hamburgers and we did very well out of the donuts and, to some extent, the drinks.
“We cleared around $600 to $700 for the night, which is still good for an evening like that.”
Millicent Lioness Club treasurer Beccy Field said volunteers sold more than 100 bags of popcorn to hungry punters.
“It was not super cold so we did not sell a lot of tea and coffee, but the popcorn was walking out,” she said.
“The popcorn was something we thought we would try and it was so popular we kept on making more and more.
“We ran out of all the toppings so we had to go to a backup plan.
“It would have been triple the crowd there was last year and it was great to see all the kids and families out.”
Mr Morgan said the business association was already discussing next year’s event, with organisers floating ideas around a street party.
“It has been suggested that a prelude to Lights Up is a community-based street parade where schools, clubs and business can be involved,” he said.
“It would be a low key parade along George Street from Glen Street to North Terrace starting at 5.30pm, with the community to congregate afterwards at the rotunda as Santa arrives.
“The children’s activities can be expanded near the rotunda and there could possibly be fireworks afterwards.”
