Santa is well & truly on his way to town

The AAM Timber Mount Gambier Christmas Parade heralds the beginning of the festive season down Commercial Street on Saturday at 11am, celebrating its 65th running.

City of Mount Gambier community events team leader Xarnia Keding said organisers were excited to have 51 entries taking part in the parade this year, with a new float joining the return of the crowd favourites.

“Our hard-working parade shed volunteers have been refurbishing the old pirate ship float and it has now been transformed into Noah’s Ark,” Mrs Keding said. “Glenburnie Primary School students will proudly sit on the boat and walk alongside this float in the parade.”

The parade begins from Crouch Street North, travelling west on Commercial Street to Vansittart Park.

Children and families will line the street to watch the floats go by, waiting in anticipation for the jolly man himself – Santa.

The Mount Gambier City Band, Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band and the Hamilton and District Pipe Band will participate in the parade, however, the Lions Club Blue Lake Brass Band Festival, street march and massed march traditionally run alongside the parade will not go ahead this year.

“Allen Woodham has recently resigned from the Brass Band Festival,” Mrs Keding said. “He delivered a fantastic event of national importance which brought brass bands from all over the state and interstate together to compete in Mount Gambier.

“It was run through the Lions Club of Mount Gambier and they decided not to go ahead with the event this year. Therefore, it has been difficult to attract as many brass bands from afar to come to our city to march and play in the Christmas Parade.”

With thousands of people expected to converge on the heart of the city for the event, attendees are reminded to stay behind the blue safety line at all times during the parade.

“It is really important that people who are planning to attend the parade remain behind the blue painted line on both sides of Commercial Street from Crouch Street to Wehl Street for the duration of the parade,” Mrs Keding said.

Following the parade, Father Christmas will attend the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West’s Party in the Park event at the Cave Gardens/Thugi with live performances, food and drinks, and children’s entertainment.

The Jingle and Mingle Street Celebration will also feature family fun for all ages on Commercial Street between 12pm and 4pm, delivered by the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce.

Temporary road closures

The following roads will temporarily be closed to traffic on Saturday 16 November 2023 to ensure the safe operation of the 2024 Mount Gambier Christmas Parade:

Commercial Street East Mount Gambier between the east side of Davison Street and Crouch Street from 8am to 12.30pm.

Commercial Street East Mount Gambier between Crouch Street and Bay Road/Penola Road from 8.30am to 2pm.

Commercial Street West Mount Gambier between Bay Road/Penola Road and Wehl Street from 8.30am to 2pm.

Crouch Street South Mount Gambier between Commercial Street East and Sturt Street from 10.50am to 2pm.

Wehl Street North Mount Gambier between Commercial Street West and Wyatt Street/Eglington Terrace from 10.50am to 2pm.

Commercial Street West Mount Gambier between Wehl Street and Bertha Street from 10.50am to 2pm.

Watson Terrace Mount Gambier from Commercial Street East adjacent to Jens Hotel – north/south from 6.30am to 5pm.

Commercial Street West Mount Gambier between Elizabeth Street and Bay Road/Penola Road, from 2pm to 5pm.

Commercial Street East Mount Gambier between Keegan Street/Krummel Street and Bay Road/Penola Road from 2pm to 5pm.

Parking vehicles on these streets is prohibited during the road closures.