Cr Roz Frohloff gave them Christmas gift bags and ice blocks
December 22, 2019
A large crowd packed Pioneer Park in Nanango on Friday night for the annual Heritage Christmas Carnival.
The carnival was revived last year by Heritage Nanango and the Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA) after an eight-year absence, and its second outing proved even more popular than the first.
One big attraction was a range of free amusement rides.
They included dodgem cars, a giant slide, a merry-go-round, laughing clowns and water rifle shoots, and most of the rides and amusements had queues that lasted all night.
Hungry patrons could purchase inexpensive burgers, sausage sandwiches, hot chips, popcorn and a range of ice creams and hot and cold drinks, as well as browse market stalls.
There was also a ham wheel where winners were given photos of a ham they could redeem from Nanango’s IGA supermarket for the real thing at their leisure – an innovation that saved lucky ticket-holders from having to carry a heavy ham to their cars in hot summer weather.
Entertainer Jeff Hancox provided upbeat music all night, and towards evening Santa Claus arrived in an electric blue Corvette to greet a long queue of waiting children.
The carnival was sponsored by Heritage Nanango, the South Burnett Regional Council and Ergon Energy, and organised by NaTDA members.
NaTDA president Gloria Kirkness said she was very pleased with attendance numbers, which she estimated were 10 to 15 per cent up on last year despite the drought and bushfire smoke enveloping the region.
“This is a great night out for families and it’s something that lifts everyone’s spirits,” Gloria said.
“A lot of people have had a tough time this year with the drought and bushfires, so it’s nice to be able to put something on for Christmas that people can really look forward to.”
- Related article: Christmas Carnival Returns To Nanango
