Thousands of people lined Mount Gambier’s main street to welcome the return of the city’s annual Christmas pageant on Saturday.

The Christmas pageant had fallen victim to COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years, with Mount Gambier City Council instead opting for a static Santa’s Boulevard at Blue Lake Sports Park and the Valley Lakes.

However, this year’s pageant had to overcome the threat of inclement weather, with organisers meeting with Bureau of Meteorology forecasters right up to the final hours to ensure it was safe to proceed.

Mount Gambier City Council Community Events Team Leader Xarnia Keding said it was incredible to see the effort put in by the community to bring the magic of the parade to life.

“We continued to work with senior staff at the Bureau of Meteorology throughout the week to monitor the forecast weather in the lead up to the parade,” Ms Keding said.

“At 7.30am on the morning of the parade, we met with the Bureau of Meteorology again to make the final call to proceed.”

Ms Keding said crowds had lined the entire parade route to cheer on the 49 floats which travelled along Commercial Street.

“It was fantastic to see members of the community throw on their rain jackets and join in the festivities,” she said.

“It was exciting to bring back the much-loved NF McDonnell and Sons Christmas Parade to Mount Gambier after a two-year hiatus.

“A huge thank you to all involved in the return of the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade.

“It was incredible to see the smiling faces and enthusiasm of the children, both lining the streets and taking part in the parade.

“Thank you to everyone who celebrated the NF McDonnell & Sons Christmas Parade with us from the streets, from home and from afar.

“The community can continue to enjoy the parade through the livestream replay on the City of Mount Gambier Facebook page and website.”

Disappointingly the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West’s Party in the Park, held after the parade, had to be cancelled due to the inclement weather.