The joy of Christmas was alive on Saturday when the most wonderful time of year paraded along Commercial Street for the AAM Timber Mount Gambier Christmas Parade.
Those involved in the parade gathered at Crouch Street before making the trek along Commercial Street to Vansittart Park.
At 11am the city’s iconic Town Hall clock chimed, signalling the start of the parade. Onlookers welcomed in the festive season, witnessing a convoy of 51 floats, walkers and bands representing local schools, businesses, community groups and organisations.
As always it was the end of the parade that gained the most enthusiasm and excitement from the crowd with the jolly man in the red suit Father Christmas aboard his sleigh.
This beloved tradition has been running strong since 1959 and continued to spread holiday joy with after parade celebrations at the Cave Gardens.
Following the parade the festivities continued with the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West’s Party in the Park.
Live performances, children’s entertainment, food and drinks, as well as market stalls attracted all ages and interests.
Santa’s duties continued at the Cave Gardens, where hundreds of children shared their Christmas wishes.
The Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce also delivered a Jingle and Mingle Street Celebration with local businesses along Commercial Street hosting family fun for all ages.
The Mount Gambier City Band, Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band and the Hamilton and District Pipe Band kept pageantgoers toes tapping, however the Lions Club Blue Lake Brass Band Festival, street march and massed march traditionally run alongside the parade did not go ahead this year.
City Council community events team leader Xarnia Keding said the Lions Club of Mount Gambier and council decided not to proceed with the event this year, following the resignation of one of its key organisers.
“Allen Woodham has recently resigned from the Brass Band Festival,” Mrs Keding said.
“He delivered a fantastic event of national importance which brought brass bands from all over the state and interstate together to compete in Mount Gambier.
“Therefore, it has been difficult to attract as many brass bands from afar to come to our city to march and play in the Christmas parade.”
