Father Christmas with his good mate Blazer the Bear … Santa hitched a lift with the Kingaroy firies to make it to the Christmas Carnival on time

December 9, 2016

Kingaroy’s annual Christmas Carnival on Thursday night was a little bit different this year because – for the first time in a long time – the rain held off until it was almost over.

Although large cumulus clouds threatened to dump their payload most of the evening, Santa Claus enjoyed a dry reception when local police and fire services dropped him off to pose for photos and take Christmas gift wishes from youngsters.

As usual, CBD portions of Kingaroy Street and Haly Street were sealed off by SES volunteers so Carnival-goers could enjoy the festivities in safety.

In O’Neill Square, a range of entertainers from Matt Phillips and the KSHS brass ensemble to Jeff Hancox kept the audience entertained.

And all along Kingaroy Street, local service clubs ran hamburger and chip stands or sold tickets for the ever-popular ham wheels.

The SES ran a raffle to win a wheelbarrow holding $800 worth of goodies, and other stallholders offered everything from mini Dutch pancakes to spiral potatoes, gourmet doughnuts and exotic ice-creams.

An animal nursery proved popular with patrons of all ages, and amusement rides ranging from climbing walls to merry-go-rounds were well patronised all night, too.

CROW-FM’s team kept the music and announcements pumping over the loudspeakers, and some patrons who dressed up as Christmas elves or wore festive hats added extra gaiety to the night.

In the ticket booths, local pollies took their turns selling ride tickets.

And while local police were out and about in force, they had very little to do aside from accepting “Happy Christmas” wishes from passers-by.

Crowd numbers at the Carnival also seemed to be up again this year and many stores stayed open to add extra colour to the streetscape, with some cafes offering specials to tempt hungry patrons.

The South Burnett’s next Christmas events will occur at Murgon and Blackbutt on Friday.

Blackbutt will be holding the first day of their two-day Christmas Arts and Crafts Festival in Les Muller Park during the day; and Murgon are staging their 23rd annual Christmas Festival in Lamb Street on Friday night.

They’ll be followed on Saturday by the Blackbutt Christmas Food Fair at Blackbutt Showgrounds, and Boondooma Homestead’s Community Christmas Carols service, both in the evening, and then Kumbia’s Christmas Carnival on Sunday afternoon.

Related articles:

Trinity Miller, Kingaroy, and Claudia Rogers, Kingaroy, from the South Burnett Community Orchestra, were adding a festive touch in Kingaroy Street
Tess Graaf, 5, from Nanango, was enjoying being a Christmas elf
Rhonda Smith, from Kingaroy, was adding some sax to Christmas tunes
Mannah, 2, and Asher Wilson, 4, from Nanango, were having fun at the festival
Charlie Ploetz, 12, from Kingaroy, found Mayor Keith Campbell working hard selling the ride tickets
Member for Nanango – and ride ticket seller – Deb Frecklington with daughters Elke and Lucy
Shaz and Corky, from CROW-FM, with Festival committee members Craig Lucas and Jason Ford
John Box, Kingaroy; with Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff, second from right, and Sandy and John Learmont, Bunya Mountains
Viv White, from Viv’s Farm Animals, with six-week-old “Bacon” who was exploring the festival on a lead
Kingaroy SES members were selling raffle tickets … from left, Joe Hafemeister, Peter Sailes, Jonathon Farrell, Elissa Broadhurst and Des Lowe
Steven Wheeler was helping to promote the South Burnett Speedway Club’s next meeting
Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff with Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation CEO Kristy Frahm
Maddison Limpus was selling Christmas goodies at The Peanut Van’s stall
Chris “Corky” Corcoran and Shaz Birkett, from CROW-FM ham it up during their commentary
Teacher Matt Phillips with students from the Kingaroy State High School concert band
UK visitor Lee Coleman, from Kent, was kidding around in Viv’s Farm Animals display
Taabinga Rotary club president Paul Laurentiussen and Jason Frecklington were working on the hamburger stall
Sarah Armstrong and Kim Brackin, from Kingaroy, said they were having a great time, despite the heat
Murray Johnston, right, was drumming up business for the Kingaroy Rotary ham wheel

 

2 Responses to "Santa Gets A Hot Reception"

  1. Congratulations President Craig Lucas and your wonderful committee for providing another excellent event for the South Burnett community. Well done.

    Reply

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