Gerringong Rotary Club will once again host the annual Gerringong Christmas Street Parade and Markets on Saturday, December 17.

The Village Markets will take place from 8.30am to 1.30pm at Gerringong Town Hall.

The Natural Necessity Fashion Parade will run from 10.30am.

This will be followed by a Welcome to Country and traditional indigenous smoking ceremony. 

The Street Parade, featuring three Scottish marching bands will then kick off from 11am. 

The parade is set to feature about 50 floats, incorporating sporting clubs, community groups, service clubs, car clubs and local businesses.

The approximately kilometre-long parade route begins at Michael Cronin Oval.

It then heads up Blackwood Street, before turning right into Fern Street, then through the township before eventually concluding in Noble Street. 

Gerringong Rotary Club’s director of projects Steve Smith said the long-running event typically drew large crowds.

“Gerringong has a population of around 3500-4000, and we usually get 4000-6000 for the parade and markets,” he said.

“Being a tourist area there are a lot more people around, a lot of holiday-makers and it’s the start of the holiday season. 

“So a lot of them come along for it as well.”

Mr Smith said organisers believed it was a “community event and we try to get the locals as involved as we can”.

“People look forward to it – it’s become a tradition in Gerringong,” he said.

“If you ask someone in Gerringong… If you say ‘street parade’ they know exactly what you mean.

“It’s great for the families to celebrate Christmas in Gerringong. 

“We also encourage the local shops to decorate their windows, and the winner gets a prize.”

The Gerringong Carols by Candlelight will also take place at Gerringong Town Hall on Sunday, December 18 from 7pm.