Preparations are ramping up for the Spirit of Christmas Fair.
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The community event will take-over the Gunnedah CBD on December 8, with plenty of entertainment and activities for the whole family.
It will be the first year that the Retail Precinct Committee runs the event and chair Jodi Dolbel is excited about their plans.
“The Christmas fair is all about keeping the dollars in our town,” she said.
Gunnedah Preschool has come on board, merging their fundraising fete with the fair. The pre-school will have a kids zone at the western end of Conadilly Street, with activities including face painting, dunking tank, jumping castle and pony rides. All proceeds from the kids zone will go to Gunnedah Preschool.
A highlight will be a 40-minute show on the main stage from balloon artist extraordinaire Matt Falloon from Sydney. Gunnedah Preschool lined him up after seeing his work and Mrs Dolbel said she got some tips for her own balloon business at Riley’s Furniture and Carpets.
“He’s really amazing,” she said.
“It’s just absolutely incredible what he does with balloons.
“He's travelled all over the world to teach people how to twist balloons.”
Busking is another drawcard, with local talent of all ages invited to sign-up for a spot in the CBD and compete for “people’s choice”. Entry forms can be collected from Riley’s, the Old Bank Gallery, Willow & Fli and Hennessy Real Estate from Monday.
Ben Hennessy recently joined the Retail Precinct Committee and has also taken on the naming rights of the fair through his real estate. Ms Dolbel said he’s been a great help in the organisation.
“I’m just trying to drum up support for it,” he said.
“It’s a big kudos to Jodi and everyone in the committee. It’s been a mammoth effort to breathe new life into a great concept.
“It’s all going to pay-off on the night.”
Plenty of other events will take place on the night including an auction, fashion parades, a Santa Dash 4 Cash run by the triathlon club, tug-o-war between sporting groups. There will also be a pop-up bar in the alleyway between Conadilly and Little Conadilly streets.
The ShopGunnedah promotion will kick-off in November, with shoppers to go in the draw for $4000 worth of gift cards. Winners will be announced at the fair.
The fair is supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce.
