General News
5 December, 2022
Christmas cheer in Clunes
Paving the way for the festive season, Clunes’ main street will be the centre of celebration and fanfare this Friday — with a street parade coming to town. For the first time since the pandemic, a community Christmas parade will march down...
Paving the way for the festive season, Clunes’ main street will be the centre of celebration and fanfare this Friday — with a street parade coming to town.
For the first time since the pandemic, a community Christmas parade will march down Fraser Street on December 9 from 7 pm.
“The street parade is a real celebration of our community,” Clunes Neighbourhood House manger Lana de Kort said.
“Every year it features community groups from the agricultural society to the RSL, and every other group in between.
“We’ve got people showcasing their vintage cars and others walking their pony or puppy dressed in their finest Christmas gear. And of course, the man in red will be there to fill us with Christmas cheer.”
The parade has been part of the community led event, “Christmas in Clunes”, since 2018. In preparation of the annual event, volunteers from across the community gather to hang garlands, wreaths and lights along the verandahs and light posts in Clunes’ Fraser Street.
Funded by the Victorian Government as part of the Emerging Stronger Grants Program, which promotes volunteering in the state, this year’s light display includes a celebration of community members from past street parades, featured on the town’s rotunda in Collins Place.
An event of this magnitude has something in store for everyone wanting to get in on the Christmas spirit, according to Ms de Kort.
“Our local primary school choir will start the evening with carols and kids games at 6 pm. There will be tables and seating for people to feast in the street, buying takeaway from local cafes or the foodtrucks who are regulars at our monthly market,” she said.
“People can take a snow globe selfie, or pop into BOOM and take their own photo with Santa. Then popular rockabilly band, Shell Yeah will help us all get our feet tapping and dancing as the sun goes down and the Christmas lights twinkle.”
The event is free to attend and more information is available online on www.clunesnh.org/christmas