Adrienne Liddell, from the Blackbutt Crafters, was surrounded by an extravaganza of festive decorations for sale at the Blackbutt Christmas CarnivalSanta Claus even took time out of his busy schedule to check out the Christmas lights in Rosella Parade in Kingaroy (Photo: Supplied)
December 20, 2024
South Burnett families have been busily celebrating the festive season – and keeping Santa on the move – at Christmas carnivals throughout the region.
Sadly, the threat of storms forced the cancellation of the Murgon Bush Christmas (December 13), the Ballogie community event (December 14) and the Heritage Nanango Christmas Carnival (December 19) but the rain held off – more or less – for most of the other towns.
While organisers were crossing their fingers, the region’s children had just one thing on their minds … Santa.
The jolly man in red was a big hit wherever he appeared.
The Goomeri Carnival was the first off the rank, and Kingaroy’s was probably the largest.
Many towns had carols and carnivals on separate nights, spreading the joy across different days.
A new event this year was at Mondure, with the local Hall Committee eager to show off their recently refurbished facility.
However, if you have missed out on the Christmas fun so far, there’s still time.
Wondai’s Christmas Carnival is on this Saturday (January 21) at the Wondai Showgrounds.
There’ll be face-painting and kids’ activities; food and market stalls; a jumping castle, lucky dips and ham wheels.
Santa is scheduled to arrive at 7:30pm! All proceeds will go towards the 2025 Wondai Show.
Blackbutt Benarkin Lions Club hosted a family-friendly Christmas celebration at Blackbutt Showgrounds on December 6.
There were competitions for decorated scooters, pushbikes and even farm machinery!
Children had plenty of activities to enjoy, including novelty races, face-painting and, of course, a visit from Santa.
Adults could relax and listen to music from the Sempf Family, browse the market stalls or enjoy a drink at the licensed bar.
The evening finished with a fireworks display.
Santa with a loyal helper, Lions Club member Tracy Bishop
The winning entry in the Best Decorated Farm Machinery competition
Entrants line up before parading around the ring in the Decorated Farm Machinery competition
Cr Linda Little presented the prize for Best Decorated Scooter to Ethan Cooper, 10
Mayor Kathy Duff presented the prize for the Best Decorated Pushbike to Ruby Wingfield, 11
Liz Tennant was selling items made by the Blackbutt CraftersThe Sempf Family was singing Christmas Carols by Candlelight … actually battery-powered candles handed out to the audience members
* * *
Kingaroy
The annual Kingaroy Christmas Carnival was held on December 12 in the Glendon Street carpark, the Town Hall Forecourt and the area beside and behind the Town Hall.
The new layout enabled rides for smaller children and rides for teenagers to be kept separated.
There were plenty of street stalls, Christmas carols, roving entertainers and amusement rides to keep visitors entertained.
Especially popular were the dodg’ems, the soaring Super Satellite and the Sizzler.
Well-known singer Julee-anne Bell was the guest performer who shared Christmas carols with the crowd in the Town Hall Forecourt.
The Super Satellite rides was providing a dramatic display in the Glendon Street carparkThese colourful stilt walkers were towering above the crowds in Glendon StreetKingaroy vocalist Julee-anne Bell sung familiar and not-so-familiar Christmas songs in the Town Hall ForecourtSouth Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, with compere Cr Danita Potter, judged the Best Dressed competition (Photo: SBRC)Kat Butcher, Anna Faunt and Neil Black from Kingaroy Rotary … the Rotary Wheel gave away 22 hams in record timeChildren were queueing to get a ride on an old-fashioned favourite, the dodg’emsKingaroy Lions Club members were being kept busy on their food stallBraydon Riddle, Parker, 6, and Megan Pryor, from Kingaroy, dressed up to enjoy the Christmas funCr Danita Potter presented bunches of flowers to the hardworking Christmas Carnival committee members … from left, Jo Olsen, Roshi de Caluwe with Sarah, nine months; Lisa Thackeray and Jason OlsenMrs Claus and Santa were popular as they strolled through the ForecourtMayor Kathy Duff, right, with members of the Anderson, Redlich and Lever families who dressed up for the carnivalThe Sizzler was another of the popular amusement rides positioned in the car park areaKylie Enkelmann, with “Theo”; Leigh and Layton Hahn; and Jyoti Enkelmann, all from Kingaroy
* * *
Kumbia
The rain held away for Kumbia’s annual celebration of Christmas on December 14 in and around the Memorial Hall.
A highlight this year was the auction, led by Bill Steffensen, which raised funds for the hall’s restumping project.
Outside, there were the usual burgers and desserts for sale which were so popular, they actually sold out!
The ham wheel – which was also giving away tins of biscuits – was also very popular, as was Santa when he arrived after dark in a police car.
Cr Ros Heit, auctioneer Bill Steffensen and Mayor Kathy Duff and the lucky Christmas tree she won in the auctionSandra Steffensen was keeping busy handing out prizes to the children taking part in indoor gamesGerald and Marlene Schultz, Ava Litfin and Jenny Gemmel … Ava was visiting from the Gold CoastCharlie and Tracey Adamson, from KumbiaMayor Kathy Duff with Murray Beil, who was being kept busy selling ham wheel ticketsBill Steffensen was auctioning items inside the hall to raise funds for the hall restumping projectKumbia’s own country music singer Richie Hamilton was singing in the hallKumbia police provided Santa with a dramatic arrival at the carnival …… and he was instantly surrounded by children in his special grove
* * *
Mondure
The rainy weather couldn’t stop the Mondure Hall Committee from hosting their inaugural Christmas Spirit celebrations on December 18.
The twilight party included a visit by Santa, raffles, a sausage sizzle and an opportunity to see the upgraded hall, with its new roof and stumps.
The arrival of a decorated German wagon was a highlight of the night (Photo: Mondure Hall Committee)The hall was brightly decorated for Christmas (Photo: Mondure Hall Committee)
* * *
Proston
Proston QCWA members organised the town’s Christmas Party on December 14.
Celebrations were held inside the community hall due to the weather, but the rain didn’t scare off a visit by Santa, who arrived in the Proston fire engine.
Santa poses with volunteers of the Proston QCWA who organised the event (Photo: Proston QCWA)Santa made a dramatic entrance after catching a lift with the local fire brigade (Photo: Proston QCWA)Children queued to have a quiet word with Santa (Photo: Proston QCWA)
* * *
Yarraman
The Yarraman & District Progress Association celebrated Christmas In The Park at Errol Munt Reserve on December 7.
There was a jumping castle, food and drink stalls, face painting plus a visit from Santa who greeted children from his giant sleigh.
It was an historic evening for local community radio station Wild Horse FM which held its first live outside broadcast for many years.
The night finished with community Christmas carols.
A ringing bell heralded the arrival of Santa at Errol Munt Reserve … he then strolled to his sleigh and was instantly swamped by childrenLee McGregor, from CROW-FM, with Jane Hodgkinson, from Wild Horse FM … the two community radio stations were part of the same training program which included the live broadcast by Wild Horse from Errol Munt ReserveDana Symonds and Fiona Hams, from Yarraman KindyYarraman Progress Association secretary Chris O’Neill with volunteers Carole and John VerdenRick and Prue Lewis, from the Yarraman Progress AssociationJohn Maizels, from the Community Media Training Organisation, was helping out on the day after working with both Wild Horse and CROW-FM
