July 4, 2018
Nanango won’t have a New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras this year … but it will have a family-oriented Christmas Carnival in Pioneer Park for the first time in almost a decade.
The Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA) announced on Tuesday they’ve secured sponsorship from Nanango’s Heritage Community Branch to revive the town’s Christmas Carnival.
The former Nanango Lions Christmas Carnival, which had run for several decades, wound up eight years ago due to an ageing membership and a lack of volunteers.
Nanango’s Blue Light Skating Group stepped into the breech by running a Christmas Blue Light night at their George Street hall every December since then.
But NaTDA members felt it wasn’t quite the same.
“Nanango is probably the only town in the South Burnett that hasn’t had a community Christmas Carnival this decade,” NaTDA president Barry Green said.
“Blackbutt, Yarraman, Kingaroy, Kumbia, Wondai, Proston, Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan all have Christmas Carnivals, and even Maidenwell has a Christmas Carnival for locals thanks to the wonderful ladies at the Maidenwell QCWA.
“So it seemed silly to us that Nanango didn’t have a big Christmas event for families, and we’ve decided to bring it back this year in place of the New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras.
“A Christmas Carnival is a night when you can get out of the house, meet your fellow townsfolk and relax in the evening while the kids amuse themselves and get excited about Christmas.
“It’s a fun, affordable family night out for everyone, and we want to bring that back to Nanango so locals don’t need to travel long distances if they want to treat the kids.”
The Heritage Nanango Christmas Carnival will be held at Pioneer Park next to the Nanango Aquatic Centre on Thursday, December 20.
It will begin around 5:00pm and run until about 9:00pm, so families can make an early start on their weekend.
Like Christmas Carnivals elsewhere in the region, it will feature food and market stalls, inexpensive amusement rides for children and live music.
Santa will also be stopping by during the course of the evening to distribute free gifts to children.
Stallholders, ride operators and performers who’d like to be part of this year’s event – along with community members who’d like to lend a hand – should phone Sue on 0432-077-067.
