MORE than 10,000 people are expected to swarm into heart of Mount Gambier today for the city’s iconic Christmas Parade, which is the largest event of its type in regional Australia.
Commercial Street will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours as more than 50 floats and entries meander through the city.
The event – sponsored by NF McDonnell and Sons – also heralds the start of festive trading period for the city’s retail landscape.
A show-stopper in the massive parade will be a historic Cowley traction engine, which will return to the Christmas parade after a 50-year absence.
This iconic engine – which is on loan from Scienceworks in Melbourne and built in 1916 – was once a regular entry in the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade.
The steam-operated Cowley engine is the only one left remaining in the world.
National Trust Mount Gambier branch chair Nathan Woodruff said the engine was secured for the city’s Christmas parade following lengthy negotiations with Scienceworks in Melbourne.
He said this iconic regional engine was once a popular entrant in the parade more than 50 years ago.
Mr Woodruff said the engine had a rich history given its last owner was Donald Gregory, who used it commercially at Yahl.
It was used in the 1950s for driving a chaff-cutter and pulling out pine trees and boxthorn hedges with a powerful winch.
But after lying neglected in a paddock for more than a decade, the “whistling” engine was restored and acquired by the Museum of Victoria.
Mr Woodruff said the re-emergence of the engine – which will play a key part in the Yahl Primary School’s float celebrating its 150th anniversary – will be a “show-stopper” in today’s parade.
“This is quite special – it is the only one left in the world. There would be a lot of people who would have fond memories of it. It is a regional icon coming back to our parade,” he said.
Now in its 59th year, the Christmas parade traditionally heralds the arrival of the festive season and will begin at 11am.
With 55 entries preparing for the parade – including seven brass bands – this year’s event promises to vibrant and massive community event.
“It is fantastic to have such a high number of entries again this year and we express our appreciation to all those who have entered,” Mount Gambier City Council community events team leader Denise Richardson said.
“Without the community groups and individuals who take the time to prepare their floats the parade would not be as successful as it has been for many years.
“There will be a number of new entries including the NF McDonnell and Sons Timber Toy Town, as well as the return of some well-loved favourites, including the clowns raising money for the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Appeal.”
The parade will travel west from the intersection of Commercial Street East and Crouch Street South and finish at the Wehl Street and Commercial Street West intersection.
With many thousands of people expected to line the streets for the event attendees are reminded to remain behind the blue safety line at all times.
“The painted blue line runs on both sides of Commercial Street and is broken at the protuberances,” Ms Richardson said.
“The cooperation of the public in observing the honour line is requested.”
The community is encouraged to comply with all parking requirements and road closures as people converge on the city centre for the parade.
“Please be patient and observe traffic restrictions to keep children and families safe before, during and after the event,” Ms Richardson said.
Following the parade, the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West will host the annual Party in the Park at the Cave Gardens with various activities for children of all ages.
The Lions Club Blue Lake Brass Band Festival begins with a street march before to the Christmas Parade at 9am in Commercial Street East.
The Massed March from the Old Town Hall to Crouch Street will follow, start at 10.15am before the bands participate in the parade from 11am.
Featuring brass bands from all over the state and Victoria, the festival continues in the afternoon with a concert at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre from 1pm where all winners will be announced.
