Gloucester set for festive Christmas in July celebration

SANTA will arrive early in Gloucester this year with local retailers hosting Christmas in July.

The celebration, on 11 July between 9am and 2pm, will involve shops and community groups all getting into the Christmas spirit.

“The idea is to bring people to Gloucester during the school holidays with the hope that they will stay longer, but also to attract people from places such as Taree and Forster who might come here for a day trip,” said Evette Terras, one of the organisers.

“We want to create a Christmas vibe in the main street and get more people shopping.

“Many shops are already involved and there will be a lot more.”

Ms Terra indicated that nearly all the businesses will be open, even some that might normally be closed on Saturday morning, and the local community groups will have the opportunity of doing some fundraising by holding raffles or selling scones, jams, face painting, cakes or other produce.

“We are hoping to get everyone to dress up in their Christmas jumpers that they never get to wear in the middle of summer, and shops will put out fairy lights, have snowflakes on the windows and Christmas trees to create a warm country Christmas theme,” added Ms Terra.

“There was standing room only in Gloucester at Easter and we hope to have regular events throughout the year to bring visitors to the town.”

Buskers up and down the street will entertain the crowds.

There will be an elf-on-the shelf hunt, a Christmas hat parade, a Yuletide movie, hopefully a Fire and Rescue unit, and Santa will take a break from toy making to make an appearance.

Ms Terra explained that they have been working closely with MidCoast Council and are grateful for their support.

“They have been really great,” she said.

By John WATTS