MORE than 16,000 people flocked to Commercial Street on Saturday for the annual NF McDonnell and Sons Mount Gambier Christmas Parade.
Now in its 59th year, the vibrant spectacle included 55 entries from schools, sporting clubs and community groups with this year’s standout entries including a historic steam traction engine.
Brass bands played traditional Christmas carols, Disney music and renditions of Baby Shark as crowds waved to pirates, angels, elves and Father Christmas himself.
Mount Gambier City Council community events team leader Denise Richardson said the response from attendees had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Lots of people have reported back to me that it was the best ever Christmas Parade they have seen,” Ms Richardson said.
“Everyone put in such a fantastic effort and it was a very hard choice for the judges to come up with winners for each category, they thought every float was outstanding.
“The criteria on the entry form includes enthusiasm, colour and creativity and every float met that criteria this year.
“There was so much energy from everyone.”
Not-for-profit charity Recycled Runway was awarded the most outstanding entry award for its float Wear it, Don’t Waste It.
The entry showcased the initiative involving participants creating new outfits from a pre-selected bag of op-shop clothes.
The initiative is a fundraiser for ac.care and the Uplift Project, which donates used bras to third world countries.
“Recycled Runway was also eligible to win our new category – best recycled resources entry – but the judges thought they deserved to win the overall award,” Ms Richardson said.
“It was great to see a number of entrants using recycled materials and Compton Primary School won that category, their costumes were made entirely from second hand clothing.
“Not everything needs to be new to dazzle the judges.”
Ms Richardson said the event ran without a hitch.
“We have the same volunteers back year after year, along with a number of new volunteers this year, so everything ran so smoothly,” she said.
“It is like a well-oiled machine now and we have been so happy with the positive feedback.”
Meanwhile, The Lions Club Blue Lake Brass Band Festival commenced with a street march prior to the Christmas parade at 9am on Commercial Street East.
The massed march from the Old Town Hall to Crouch Street followed at 10.15am before the bands participated in the parade.
Featuring brass bands from all over the state and Victoria, the festival continued in the afternoon with a concert at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
