The 23rd installment of the Light Up Leeton Christmas Carnival will be held in Mountford Park this Sunday, December 2 with a huge turnout expected to celebrate the coming of Christmas.
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From a ham wheel, rides and community stalls, to a concert featuring plenty of local talent, the carnival is the community’s way of launching into the festive season.
Light Up Leeton chairman Carl King said the carnival and concert would be business as usual.
The Rotary ham carnival will start proceedings in Mountford Park at 4pm, with some special guests delivered into the park at 6pm.
Rebecca Van Den Heuvel will welcome Santa and Mrs Claus onto the stage with carols before MC Travis Irvin sets proceedings in motion.
There won’t be as many children’s characters involved this year, but the kids can expect to see B1 and B2, as well as Peppa Pig.
For more information visit the Light Up Leeton Facebook page HERE
“They will walk through the park prior to Santa and Mrs Claus arriving, handing out lollies and programs, before welcoming Santa and Mrs Claus into the park,” Mr King said. “The concert looks like being a good one. We have quite a few acts and it should go through to 9pm.
“There’s the Borneo Women’s Choir. There are some women from Borneo living in town and they are keen to be part of the performance.
“There will be a couple of girls from Barellan performing, as well as Griffith Post School Options, which has some Leeton people involved. One of them is Luke Hevern, who was a star of the Gralee School performances over the years.
“John Martin, who’s getting quite a name around the region for his singing, will be back. It’s a pretty full program.”
Mr King encourage people to support the performers, particularly the children, who love being on the big stage in the park.
“Coming along to the carnival also supports the community groups with their stalls, raising funds for their causes,” he said. “It can help keep these organisations running.”
The evening will conclude with $2 bus tours of the town’s residential Christmas lights, courtesy of Celi’s Bus Service, and Pat Lyons and Richard Lyons.
PHOTOS | Anthony Stipo’s gallery of photos from the 2017 Light Up Leeton Christmas Carnival
Light Up Leeton’s other role in putting up Christmas decorations through the CBD has been ongoing over the last few weeks.
”Prolop has helped us with the bunting and the (Chelmsford Place) trees have been turned on,” Mr King said.
“There are new lights in the Jarrah Mall shade sails. It has been a bit of a project of ours to put lights back into them.
“They are multi-coloured rope lights. They will come on every night and will provide year-round enjoyment.”
Leeton Business Chamber is again sponsoring the best light display for business houses, with prizes of vouchers at Charley’s Bar and Restaurant for the winners.
Call out for more help
The success of community groups and the events they run depends on manpower and Light Up Leeton needs some new faces.
“We do need to see younger people coming on board and helping a bit,” chairman Carl King said.
“Some of us are getting too old to be climbing up ladders. We need a succession plan to get people involved.”
An established work plan rolls out easily every year, with council on board to help support the event.
“It is a pretty good blueprint,” he said.
Lions train set to roll
WHAT would the festive season be without the wail of the Lions train whistle as it ferries people around the town’s Christmas lights?
This year there will be nine nights of Lions train light tours, on December 4 to 6; 11 to 13; and 18 to 20, leaving about 8.30pm each night from Leeton Market Plaza. Tickets are $5 per person with a limit of 30 people per tour.
Tickets are available from Broso’s Farmland Supplies, with bookings on 6953 2388.