More than 400 cars streamed through the Valley Lake precinct last night to catch a glimpse of NF McDonnell and Sons Santa’s Boulevard on opening night. The twinkling Christmas display is on show each evening until Monday 29 November 2021 and is delighting people of all ages as we herald in the festive season.
Santa’s Boulevard includes 14 revamped Christmas floats, lights, decorations and Christmas music in the Valley Lake precinct over five nights from Thursday 25 to Monday 29 November between 7:00pm and 10:00pm.You’ll see some of your favourite floats including Christmas in Toy Town, Pirates 'R' Us, Bill the Steam Shovel, Hansel & Gretel, The Christmas Tree, T'was the night before Christmas, Humpty Dumpty, and of course the Christmas Stocking and Santa.“The feedback after the first night has been wonderful, people really enjoyed driving through to see all the floats lit up and really got into the magical Christmas spirit,” City of Mount Gambier Events Team Leader Xarnia Keding said.“People told us they thought it was absolutely beautiful and one visitor was even moved to tears.”
Council’s events team, the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade Advisory Group and many volunteers have been planning the COVID safe drive by static Christmas spectacle for months to be held in place of the annual parade due to COVID restrictions.“50 people will be on site each night to coordinate the event and ensure everything runs smoothly.”“We have so many different community groups and individual volunteers helping us with the event and we are very grateful and thankful for the hundreds of hours that have been donated by so many hard working and diligent people,” Mrs Keding said.
NF McDonnell and Sons returns as the main sponsor of the event under new ownership of the AAM Investment Group.“We look forward to continuing to grow and build on the legacy that the McDonnell Family has established over the past 75 years,” Executive Director Growth & Development Nathan Roberts said.“Without the people and the town it’s just steel and timber we will preserve the people and the legacy that we are privileged to be part of. The AAM Investment Group will continue to support its employees through supporting the community and events such as these.”Santa’s Boulevard is a free ticketed event to enable traffic control and to ensure that wait times are reduced. 100 extra free tickets have been added per night.
Free tickets are available from Sticky Tickets at: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/nfmi2/nf_mcdonnell_and_sons__santas_boulevard_2021.aspx“If you don’t have access to a computer at home you can come in to the Visitor Information Centre and staff will help you to book tickets.”The community is encouraged to bring a donation to the event to support the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.The Valley Lakes area will still be accessible during the day as per normal and will be closed to prepare for the event at 6:00pm daily from 25 to 29 November 2021.Santa’s Boulevard is a free, family friendly, smoke free, dry event for the entire community. Please remain in your car at all times.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny Mclean on 8721 2401 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
