Community & Business
29 November, 2023
Festive fun set to take over town
THE sounds of Christmas will ring out down Byrnes Steet this Friday night when the much-anticipated Carols by Candlelight Downtown will herald the start of the festive season.
It will also be the first time locals will see Mareeba’s new Christmas tree, a 5-metre structure decorated with 3600 LED lights that will be erected in the centre median opposite Anzac Park in time for the Carols.
“This year will see a total of five trees installed across the shire. Kuranda and Mareeba will have a 5-metre tree while Chillagoe and Mt Molloy will receive a 3.6-metre tree with 2000 LED lights with Chillagoe’s tree installed last week and the Mt Molloy tree in the first week of December,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
Excitement is building for the new Carols Downtown, which is a Mareeba Rotary event, with plenty of family-fun activities starting at 5.30pm including face painting, market stalls and a special appearance by Santa, Mrs Claus and some of their elves who have travelled from the North Pole for the event.
Families can also get a special Christmas photo taken and then enjoy the array of talent that will be on stage for the event from 6.30pm.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to sit on to enjoy the show.
In addition to the new trees, locals can get into the Christmas spirit by taking part in the Christmas-themed Augmented Reality Treasure Hunt competition. There are 55 floor stickers in local stores around the shire and residents stand a chance to win one of two $500 hampers.
Mayor Toppin also encouraged locals to dress up their properties in the festive theme and be part of the shire’s Christmas Lights competition.
