Spin into the festive season with rides, food and fun

THE much-loved McGregor’s Family Carnival is returning to Brunswick Heads on December 14, with rides, games and character fun.

The carnival is expected to run at Banner Park beside Simpsons Creek until mid-January.

Ruby Nicolia, whose grandparents Noel and Betty McGregor founded the carnival in 1956, said there will be dodgem cars, super slides and a jumping castle.

“We try to keep the carnival the same every year as it’s what people are used to, but in recent years we have introduced characters from TV shows and movies such as Paw Patrol and Minions that attend on certain nights,” she said.

“We also have a Christmas theme leading up to Christmas Eve where Santa hands out lollies and is available for photos.

“We have also created a Letters to Santa mailbox where children can write to Santa, and we choose letters on Christmas Day to receive free ride wristbands.

“We also donate free ride wristbands to the town’s Community Christmas tree giving appeal, which is supported by local shops.”

Nicolia said she loved seeing the same faces attend the carnival night after night and building relationships with the generations of families who attend the event.

“We watch children grow up and have their own children they bring to the carnival, and being a huge family ourselves this means a lot to us to share the enjoyment.”

The McGregor family is also a proud member of the Showman’s Guild of Australia and attend agricultural shows throughout Queensland each year.