A BRAND new float is currently under construction for the 60th instalment of Mount Gambier’s Christmas Parade.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said she was excited for the anniversary event and the new float which would bring Christmas spirit to the entire city.
“I have seen the concept plans and I am very excited as I believe it is going to be fantastic,” Mayor Martin said.
Foreshadowed to be based around the festive tale A Night Before Christmas, the new float will be a feature for the milestone celebration.
Volunteers are working with council community events officer Xarnia Keding to bring the vision to life.
“I remember being in the Christmas Parade as a child myself and the sense of community that radiates from it, especially as a child, is something special,” Ms Keding said.
Previously a parade volunteer herself, Ms Martin congratulated those who have taken time out of their busy schedules to bring the event to the community.
“The annual Christmas parade really heralds the start of the festive season,” Ms Martin said.
“For children it is the appearance of Father Christmas and for the businesses it is the beginning of the busiest retail period of the year.”
Bringing people from across the Limestone Coast region, both Ms Martin and Ms Keding hope this year’s event will be “bigger and better” than ever.
“I do not know of any other regional areas in the state that have had a continuous Christmas parade for this long,” Ms Martin said.
“It is a mammoth achievement for Mount Gambier and I believe the quality of the parade keeps increasing every year.”
Thanking the volunteers as well as major sponsor N.F. McDonnell and Sons, Ms Martin encouraged businesses and community groups to start brainstorming ideas for their floats.
“I encourage each and every business and community groups as well as schools to enter floats this year to make it the biggest yet,” Ms Martin said.
“It is an outstanding achievement to think we have brought the magic of Christmas to the city for all these years.”
The Christmas Parade is scheduled for November 16.
