General News
14 December, 2023
A “bigger and better” Gala Night
“BIGGER and better” is the approach the Terang Progress Association will take in the lead up to the 2023 Terang Gala Night.
The beloved trader’s event will bring a hive of activity to High Street on Friday, December 22.
Terang Progress Association president Ken McSween said this year’s event would feature a wider range of entertainment in hopes of drawing a crowd.
“Planning for Gala Night is well and truly underway, and it’s looking really good,” he said.
“We’re looking to include more entertainment for a wider range of people.
“Things are starting to come together well after it had dropped off a little bit, but the feeling is we’re looking at a very good night.”
Among the highlights at this year’s event will be a dunk tank, Santa dash, chair-o-plane, jumping castle, face painting, live music, stalls and raffle sites from a wide range of community groups and a diverse number of food stalls.
The ever-popular Terang traders major raffle will again encourage Christmas shoppers to keep their dollars local, with more than 50 participating businesses offering tickets at the point of sale this month.
The major draw will be held at the rotunda from 8pm where the first prize winner will take home a trailer loaded with goods, second prize winner will receive a wheelbarrow of goods and third a basket of goods.
“Local businesses have donated money towards the night in addition to prizes,” Terang Progress Association’s Amy Leehane said.
The committee had oscillated on concepts of how to retain a format which has been so successful for the event, while taking on board feedback to make improvements and keep things fresh.
The committee acknowledged Gala Night had slowed in recent years, in part due to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and lingering concerns even when crowds could return.
This year, however, a number of events including the Terang Progress Association-organised Colour Terang Festival and the Noorat Show were believed to have broken attendance records, fuelling optimism events had well and truly made a return.
“Last year was the first year we’ve been able to return to the traditional sort of event,” Terang Progress Association’s Ben Dennis said.
“We’ve responded to feedback from last year’s event, we’ve made some changes and we’re going to have a few more things around for people to enjoy.”
The evening will tie in with additional prizes up for grabs including through a Christmas Lights competition and a colouring in competition.
Terang Progress Association’s Des McKinnon said the heart of Gala Night had always been an opportunity for local traders to say thank you to the community for their support both throughout the year, and during the busy Christmas period.
“It was a trader’s night to look after the community,” he said.
“With the event on a Friday night over the long weekend leading in to Christmas, we’re expecting a lot of people.”
Motorists are advised the Princes Highway east bound lane between Shadforth Street and Estcourt Street will be closed from 4.30pm through to 9.30pm.