The Christmas spirit is well and truly coming alive in the Greater Hamilton region, with townships and the Hamilton community already getting involved in festivities.
Following positive community feedback last year, a live Christmas tree has again been erected in Hamilton outside the library. Decorations and lights have gone up around the Plane trees and banners have been placed on light poles in the CBD, and businesses are getting involved as well with elaborate window displays and wrapping the parking meters and poles with tinsel. St Mary’s Christmas Expo and Street Parade last Saturday kicked off the celebrations in Hamilton, with huge crowds treated to a great range of festivities in the CBD.
Townships outside of Hamilton also have their celebrations well underway. The Balmoral community has again used the wooden tree in in Seymour Park to welcome in their Christmas celebrations. Laternenfest was a great success in Tarrington recently with great crowds venturing out and the Hay Bale art will remain in full force throughout December.
Council partnered with the Coleraine and District Development Association to put on the Coleraine Christmas Carnival last Friday, with a focus on encouraging residents to buy locally in Coleraine. There was a wide range of activities for the small (and the not so small!) kids and also a grand prize giveaway of $500 in Coleraine shopping vouchers.
Council CEO Michael Tudball said the Council is really excited about Christmas in the Shire this year.
“We’re excited to have teamed up with the Hamilton Spectator and Ace Radio this year to support HRBA to deliver a bumper retail Christmas promotion throughout December in the Hamilton CBD precinct” Mr Tudball said.
“The highlight will be a great weekend of activities on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December. These will take place outside the Council precinct on Brown Street. Santa will be there, kids can meet their favourite sesame street characters and have their faces painted as well. There’ll be jumping castles, live music acts and also a FREEZA performance in the Hamilton Pocket Garden on the Saturday which is free and open to all”.
HRBA president Gary Nield wants everyone to come along and enjoy the festivities.
“We encourage everyone to come down to the Hamilton CBD next weekend, finish off their last minute Christmas purchases at our wonderful local retailers and join in all the fun of the Christmas celebrations happening in town”
We have over $1000 in kid’s prizes and cash giveaways, all of which has been donated by local businesses and
HRBA. It promises to be a great 12 days of Christmas in the Hamilton CBD and we urge everyone to get on
board and be a part of the fun” Mr Nield said.
There is a range of other activities happening in the lead up to Christmas throughout the Shire:
• The Putting Christ into Christmas Committee has again contributed with a traditional message through
the installation of Christmas Silhouettes and Nativity Scenes around Hamilton
• Carols by Candlelight in Hamilton on Friday 9 December
• Carols will be sung at Seymour Park in Balmoral on Saturday 18 December
• The Penshurst Community Christmas Market is on in Bell Street, Penshurst on Friday 16 December
• Glenthompson & District Community Association has organised a church service and carols at the
Anglican Church on Sat 10th Dec, followed by a free meal at the Recreation Reserve.
“When it’s all over and Christmas has been survived, people can recover at the Penshurst Boxing Day Race
Meeting and then look forward to the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Melville Oval”.
“It really is a wonderful time in our region and we wish all of our residents and all visitors to our region a safe
and happy Christmas season” Mr Tudball said.