Much of the eastern Australia may be on snow-watch but organisers of this Saturday’s inaugural Chill N Glen festival are leaving nothing to chance. The snow effects machine was given a test run over the weekend, and another snow-maker will also be cranked up in the lead-up to the big day.
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With anticipated grant funding not forthcoming, Business In Glen’s Kylie Hawkins said while BIG may have led the way, the support the festival has received from other quarters has been overwhelming.
“Council has been so supportive, as have GISTA (Glen Innes Severn Tourist Association), Destination Glen Innes, the Caledonian Society and other clubs and organisations and all the local businesses,” she said.
“Everyone has jumped on board. This festival seems to have really sparked community spirit, and the response has been overwhelming.”
Forty-seven stallholders will be lining up in front of town hall for the European Christmas Craft Market, stocking a wide collection of unique handmade goods. Shoppers can maintain energy levels at food outlets along the strip or at the Cafe zum Anbeiben pop-up restaurant offering European delicacies.
European Christmas characters Sankt Nikolaus, Krampus and Christkind will be dropping in just before 11am among a lot more free family activities in what organisers promise will be a carnival atmosphere.
“It will take us all back to the fun we had when we were children,” Ms Hawkins said.
Heritage expert Graham Wilson will be guiding free one-hour tours of local heritage sites, leaving the post office at noon and 2pm.
“The knowledge he has is phenomenal,” Ms Hawkins said.
Mr Wilson will have a portable public address system and people can peel on and off the tour as they wish.
There will also be an art exhibition in the town hall and children’s art and craft activities in the Community Centre.
With everything going on, listen out for the town crier who will be keeping everyone in earshot informed of what’s happening next.
To save people needing to find a park and walk, Community Transport is putting on a courtesy bus doing a circuit between town square, the Australian Standing Stones and History House, so visitors can get around to all the key sites with ease.
Lots of restaurants have come on board offering Christmas traditional dinners over the weekend, and Rotary is running a cracker night at the showground from 4pm on Saturday with a gold coin entry. There’ll be hot food, family events and fireworks from 6pm.
With lots of action over the weekend, local residents can have a front row seat to a European Christmas in their own town square, snow guaranteed.
