Often an event is billed as free, but usually that just means free entry and once you are there you find yourself opening the wallet constantly. But at Christmas in Cooroy the wallet stays firmly closed. This is a truly free event with a host of entertainment, giveaways and activities all at absolutely no cost.
The crowds that attend year after year are always astounded there is so much on offer for free, making Cooroy the place to be on Saturday 2 December.
All the fun starts in Apex Park and Mill Place from 4pm with free rides, face painting and for kids that have a competitive streak, there is the Cooroy Fish and Chips Santa Sack Races which are great old-fashioned fun and every child gets a prize.
Maple Street starts to fill up with spectators from 4pm and the whole road is closed from the Cooroy Hotel all the way down to Mill Place, and people take up positions the entire length to catch all the fun.
The Noosa to Hinterland Plumbing Group Great Santa Race, which has cash prize money is in the main street at 4.30pm. It’s free to watch the spectacle of about 50 Santa-suit clad runners sprinting up the main street and it’s a great laugh.
There is a $10 fee to compete which is donated to the Leukaemia Foundation and registrations are in Apex Park from 3.30pm. Entrants are provided with a suit to race in and must be 18 years or older to enter.
At 5pm the Bendigo Bank Street Parade with the theme of ‘Stories, Books and Authors’ where you can expect some great costumes and lots of giveaways for the kids.
After the parade, head back down to Apex Park for the East versus West Tug-of-War competition with The Shed @ Cooroy putting up an East Side team against Cooroy Computers’ West Side team. The East Side Tuggers have a strong list of wins under their belt, but who will win this year?!
And as if that wasn’t enough, Santa Claus himself drops in to visit the children of Cooroy and give them all a sweet treat sponsored by Gelignite Jacks.
There are free rides from 4pm to 8pm including the Giant Slide, Cup and Saucer and Jumping Castle sponsored by Cooroy Rag; Mini 4wds and animal farm sponsored by Madill Holden and John Madill Toyota; a foam pit sponsored by Cooroy Legal Centre; free face painting sponsored by SPV Accounting, free popcorn sponsored by the Leather Doctor; and free ice-creams by Fiona Winter Realty.
There is also entertainment on the Cooroy Supa IGA stage with Pineapple Crush, Noosa Concert Band and Smokin Mirrors and at 7.15pm the Cooroy RSL Fireworks display will light up the sky with a truly magical display.
The only time you’ll need to open your wallet is if you buy something from a food or market stall, partake in a Christmas tipple at the bar sponsored by Cooroy Hotel, or buy a ticket in the fund-raising raffle sponsored by Mower and ATV Solutions where you could win $3000 in Stihl equipment of your choice!
