Top of the tree

CHRISTMAS CAPITOL CONTINUES TO JINGLE BELLS

Geelong continues to lay stake on its Christmas capital claim with a spectacular weekend of festivities planned to launch the town’s Christmas attractions.

On November 10, the city’s beloved floating Christmas tree returns to the bay lighting up the foreshore with a colouring competition set to determine what child will flick the switch and officially launch the city’s celebrations.

This year’s tree lighting ceremony will feature the biggest entertainment line-up yet with the Mik Maks performing at 7pm and a colourful lighting and fireworks display at 9pm.

The festive atmosphere will continue as a marching band leads the crowd on a short walk past the Catenary Star and lights on the corner Moorabool and Malop Street and onto City Hall to see a stunning new light projection show by local artist Matt Bonner at 9.30pm.

Malop Street will come alive on November 11 for the twilight Gala Parade, beginning with the unveiling of the Myer Christmas windows at 5pm.

This year’s theme is based on the classic children’s book Little Dog and the Christmas Wish by Corinne Fenton and for the first time, Deakin University engineering students will add animatronic movement to the characters to bring the
windows to life.

Later on thousands of people will line Geelong’s streets for the twilight Gala parade as costumes, LED floats and glittering lights trace a magical path through Central Geelong.

The city’s Christmas program is supported by the GeelongPort, Myer, Westfield, Deakin University, Hanlon Industries, Total Events and Elstones Diving Services.