Christmas trees to make Mid Richmond debuts
AFTER a couple of years of uncertainty, Richmond Valley Council has confirmed the Community Christmas Festival Calendar will return for 2021 and will run from Thursday 2 December to Sunday 19 December.
And in more good news, the festive season in Coraki and Woodburn will this year be a little bit brighter with both villages getting a six-metre high community Christmas tree.
Tree lightups will coincide with the Woodburn Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 11 December in Riverside Park, and the Coraki Christmas Markets on Saturday 18 December in Memorial Park.
The Richmond Valley Community Christmas Street Party and Tree Lightup will take place on Thursday 2 December in the Casino CBD, and the Evans Head Christmas Tree Lightup will take place on Tuesday 7 December in front of Council’s administration building.
Other Christmas events include: the Casino Lions Christmas Carols, Friday 3 December, Colley Park; Evans Head Rotary Christmas Parade and Carols, Sunday 12 December, Evans Head CBD and Surf Club; Casino Golf Club Christmas Markets, Sunday 12 December, Golf Club grounds; and Casino RSM Community Christmas Carols, Sunday 19 December, RSM Club.
Council’s Director Community Service Delivery Angela Jones said it was time for Council to plan a lot of fun activities for our amazing community as we finally started to come out the other side of natural disasters and the pandemic.
Ms Jones said nothing said Christmas like the Valley’s communal outdoor celebrations with music, markets, food stalls, lots of shopping options, amusement rides and fireworks.
She said each event would be jam packed with family-friendly line ups of performances, and much like any Christmas-themed event, there would be a special visitor taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the Richmond Valley.
“It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas as we head towards December, and Richmond Valley residents and visitors will get their first taste of the festive season on Thursday 2 December at the Richmond Valley Community Christmas Street Party and Tree Lightup, with the Casino CBD transforming into a festive-themed wonderland with crafts, food and gift stalls,” Ms Jones said.
“All of our December celebrations will be fantastic and I encourage businesses to get in on the act by decorating their shop fronts and staying open throughout the festivities.”
Ms Jones said the most impressive features of the celebrations would be the lighting of the community Christmas trees.
She said Council was pleased to be able to purchase trees for Coraki and Woodburn.
“The trees will soon be in the process of being decked out and decorated and residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy their majestic presence,” Ms Jones said.
Ms Jones said patience and hard work had allowed the celebrations to happen in a COVID-safe way.
She said Council’s Events team was planning for two different scenarios in case NSW didn’t reach the 95 percent double vaccination rate before 15 December.
At the moment, those who are not fully vaccinated cannot attend outdoor events. All people over the age of 16 years are required to provide proof of vaccination status, or exemption, to attend events being held pre 15 December.
She said given the Richmond Valley local government area was at 86.4 percent fully vaccinated, Council was anticipating a big turnout.
“If all goes well and NSW’s double vaccination rate keeps rising, the earlier events will be able to host an increased number of people, but if restrictions are still in place we will have COVID-safe versions of each event,” Ms Jones said.
“Due to everything that has happened these past two years, I reckon everyone will be glad these events are going ahead in whatever format.”