Community
13 December, 2024
Festive fun across Camperdown
BUSINESSES and homes across the district decked their halls, streets and windows in Christmas décor for the annual Christmas in Camperdown weekend.
The weekend of extended trading and festive activities saw families wandering the streets and completing a treasure hunt by finding hidden clues and activities across the town.
Organiser Michelle Elijah said she loved this time of the year.
“We gave out 150 bags, which is a bit down from previous years, but we’re still stoked,” she said.
“We actually had a lot of people from out of town and lots of people who hadn’t done it before, so that’s what it was all about.
“Santa photos out the front was fabulous, and all the stores with their shop windows were fabulous.
“We had 12 prizes this year, and everyone who looked at the prizes in the window were pretty stoked and were picking out something they would like to win.
“The weekend is always fun, and I love it.”
Other crowd pleasers over the weekend included guest appearances from the Grinch and SES’ Paddy the Platypus and face painting.
The large crowd also proved generous, with Carole Manifold selling Christmas cakes over the weekend from the Courthouse.
The cakes sold out very quickly on Saturday and Sunday.
Like the main day, Santa’s tour through Camperdown saw fewer children meeting Santa Claus and CFA’s Captain Koala Sunday afternoon.
For those who did meet Santa, however, excitement was high as they received a bag of lollies from Santa and a small toy from Captain Koala.
The CFA gave the leftover lollies out at the end of Carols by Candlelight at the Theatre Royal, which was held later in the evening.
Ms Elijah said she appreciated all the support given to the event this year.
“We appreciate everybody who donated prizes,” she said.
“We were grateful for the weather. Saturday was good, and Sunday was good – I think people start on Saturday and then finish the treasure hunt on Sunday because it is a fair effort to walk up and down the street with little kids.
“We just appreciate people coming down, having atmosphere in the street and appreciate the support from everybody.”
Winners of the treasure hunt were:
Scarlett, who chose the Bluey pack;
Oscar, who won the Ninja set;
Harrison, who selected the AFL pack;
Zariah, who picked the gingerbread house;
Cooper, who chose the lollie hamper;
Demiram, who selected the Squishmellow;
Ruby, who picked the Revamp prize pack;
Iris, who also won a Squishmellow;
Holly, who selected the second Revamp prize pack;
Blake, who chose a Lego set;
Marcus, who won some remote-control cars; and
Xander, who also won a Lego set.
The winner of the best shop window display was Betta Electrical, with the Raven family winning a $50 voucher to the store as a lucky voter prize.
Read More: Camperdown