COVID-19 concerns forces Civic Park Carols cancellation by Tea Tree Gully Council
COVID-19 has claimed another victim with the hugely popular Civic Park Carols cancelled for 2020. But there are plans in the works to keep the Christmas spirit alive in another form.
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The state’s biggest Christmas Carols have been cancelled, but local residents have their own ideas on how to replace it.
Tea Tree Gully Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to not proceed with its hugely popular Civic Park Carols in December due to concerns with COVID-19.
However, the council will investigate alternative to the event, which attracts more than 40,000 people each year to, keep its spirit alive.
An online or virtual version of the carols has been flagged.
Local resident Francine Morgan suggested the council should run a smaller, exclusive event.
“I believe they could have a concert where an audience of say 200 can win tickets so that the performers at least have a crowd, and televise it,” Ms Morgan said.
On a popular Tea Tree Gully Facebook page, residents suggested a livestreamed local talent show or a large Christmas tree being installed in the park.
However, Amy Lunnay said the council should continue with the carols in its current form.
“I think the Civic Park Carols is such a special event for our community, it would be such a shame to cancel it,” Ms Lunnay said.
“SA has low to no COVID-19 cases so why should we all miss out?”
Cr Damian Wyld said he supported the move to cancel the event with a “really heavy heart”.
“Because there’s no alternative,” Cr Wyld said.
“This has been a horrible year.
“Christmas without carols in the park will not be the same.
“I think the community spirit will overcome this.
“It’s not so much we’re cancelling carols, we’re cancelling them in their current form.”
Cr Olivia Savvas said the decision was a “very sad” one to make.
“It’s with a heavy heart I’m doing this. It’s not an easy choice to come to,” Cr Savvas said.
“But I do believe it’s the right one.”
She said to hold a smaller scale event would unfairly exclude a large section of the community.
“We need to stay smart and stay safe,” she said.
Cr Sandy Keane said it could “damage the brand” if the council continued with a smaller carols and the community would understand its decision.
“It’s not viable enough for it to run it this year. We’ll come back bigger next year,” Cr Keane said.
Cr Lucas Jones said it would be “too much of a risk” to have thousands of people at Civic Park.
“To implement social distancing, it’s not possible,” Cr Jones said.
The council’s events co-ordinator, Danielle Wundke, said the council could run something online or virtual instead.
“We’d still like to keep the spirit of Civic Park Carols alive,” Mrs Wundke said.
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