By Abbey Cannan
With just one week to go, there is certainly an air of anticipation around Cooroy with the community looking forward to Christmas in Cooroy on Friday 10 December.
Commencing at 5pm, it is the one night of the year that features late night shopping in Cooroy.
Cooroy Chamber of Commerce president Chris Bell said this yearly event promises to entertain with some of the old favourites making a comeback including the public lighting of the tree and the Bentleys Great Santa Race.
“Of course, the big man himself will be making an appearance giving the kids the opportunity to let Santa know what they would like for Christmas, with the photo booth on hand to capture the special moment,” Mr Bell said.
Food stalls and shopping will be aplenty with many of the stores staying open throughout the evening.
Some great specials and prizes will be on offer and even a gift-wrapping service from Wythes Real Estate.
“The past weekend saw the start of the decorations going up around town,” Mr Bell said.
“Hopefully by the 10 December, the current spell of inclement weather will have moved on.”
Mr Bell said there are already a number of entries for the kids’ decorated bike competition.
“No doubt this will increase rapidly with the flyers being distributed around town,” he said.
Countryside Realty have been busy preparing Christmas crackers filled with gift vouchers, trinkets and novelties, with the occasional cracker jokes and puns thrown in for good measure.
The invitation to “pull a cracker” with one of the Countryside staff will no doubt be popular again this year to the unsuspecting adults and children, downtown on Friday night.
Following the disappointment of having to cancel the Cooroy Fusion Festival for the past two years, the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre plans to make up for it with plenty of fun activities.
These include pottery market and artisans stalls, a Larrikin Puppet Show, licensed bar serving alcohol for consumption in a closed off area, food from Dhoms Kitchen and Pacos Tacos, and live entertainment by Soultree Reunion and high energy band Nizami.
Mr Bell said they would like to highlight the following additions to the evening.
Wright Cut Meats has teamed up with Dolly Duke’s Diner from Kybong and will be presenting a retro style dance band, The RocknRollaBillys, who will be performing classic music from the ’50s and ’60s.
“So put on your dancing shoes, as it promises to be party time at Wright Cut Meats,” he said.
“And did I mention the spit-roasted pig, the ham and the cheese on offer that will certainly make it worthwhile taking a trip down Maple Lane on the night?”
“Pete Wright, you are an absolute Cooroy legend.”
Local identity and retired solicitor, Paul Bone, will bring the true spirit of Christmas to town on Friday 10 December with carols from the Choral Reefers.
Listen to them in various locations around town, as well as performing on stage at the RSL.
The Queensland Police Service will add to the atmosphere with their Mobile Police Beat station. During the evening, Sergeant Mal Scott and his officers will be doing the rounds, on the lookout for local kids on their best behaviour, with a view to rewarding them accordingly.
“It is also rumoured that we can expect a visit from the police mascot,” Mr Bell said.
For more information visit cooroy.com.au or christmasincooroy.com.au
