December 1, 2009
The magic of Christmas comes to Peel St on Thursday (December 3) with the official lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and a special two hour festive carnival.
The tree will light up and Santa will join in the fun for the official launch of the civic Christmas season around the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Council headquarters at Ray Walsh House.
The entertainment includes Christmas carols, a community Rotary barbecue, free trike rides and jumping castle, Christmas cake sleigh, balloon and lolly giveaways and the jolly old gent in red with a couple of Santa helpers in the guise of the current Queen and Princess of country music.
The two hour carnival will start at 7pm with Tamworth musicians Nicole Geddes, Jarod Scott and James Craswell providing the entertainment and the choral leaders for the community singalong.
The Tamworth RSL Brass Band and Tamworth Highland Society Pipe Band will also provide some festive sounds.
The Christmas kickoff will this year star the former Hi-5 children’s musical group and television show member Sun Park who will team up with Santa to put some extra dazzle into the tree turning on and entertain the crowd.
Mayor James Treloar has issued a blanket invitation to residents right across the TRC area to turn the block into a city Christmas carnival and launch the city’s festive season with some community carols.
Councillor Treloar says children get a special joy from seeing Christmas trees first light up – and the four metre high tree decked out in all its festive glory will present a great backdrop for the carnival atmosphere planned for the night.
The carnival is supported by TRC’s civic partners Southern Cross Ten, 2TM/92.9 and the Northern Daily Leader.
TRC festival, events and venues manager Michaela Stevens says Peel St between White and Fitzroy streets will be closed from 5pm to 10pm Thursday to allow for the event.