Strike up the band

THE Kiama and District Chamber of Commerce has unveiled big plans for celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the town.

The Christmas season will open with a street parade led by the Sydney Australian Army Band along the length of Terralong Street on Sunday, December 16.

After the parade, the band will perform in Hindmarsh Park, the first time it has done so, said chamber president Warwick Colbron.

The second major event is the lighting up of five Norfolk pines – four along Terralong St and one on Blowhole Point.

“This is the first time a major vertical tree lighting has occurred and, after December 16, it will be there for 15 years plus,” Mr Colbron said.

He said the lights were a gift to the Kiama community from the chamber, the State Government and the various sponsoring businesses.

The total cost of setting up the five trees was $60,000, with the NSW Government contributing one-third of this.

Mr Colbron said that as the five trees – the “lights of Kiama” – were lit up for the first time, Santa Claus would arrive in a “top-secret modern sleigh” with small gifts for children at the concert.

On New Year’s Eve, the chamber will sponsor a fireworks display over Kiama Harbour.

Mr Colbron said he expected this display would become an annual event.

Also, the council has given permission for the closure of Terralong St between Collins and Shoalhaven streets so al fresco dining tables can be set up on the road space.

These tables would be serviced by Terralong Street eateries from early evening.

The council has also given approval for extended pavement dining on Manning Street.

Mr Colbron said there would be roaming buskers in these areas to provide light musical entertainment.

“Along with the Carols by Candlelight presented by Kiama’s church groups and the Kiama Jazz Festival, this will truly be a festival of Christmas this year in Kiama,” Mr Colbron said.