Santa Fair success

THE combined Santa Fair and Carols in the Park event has been praised as a real winner by organisers and Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Ron Dyne.

Federal Senator Mark Furner and Mayor Ron Dyne open the soundshell roof at Nelson Reserve. Picture: Contributed

THE combined Santa Fair and Carols in the Park event at Nelson Reserve on Saturday has been praised as a real winner by organisers and Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Ron Dyne.

"Yesterday's festivities were a great success, with several thousand turning out to enjoy a jam-packed program of family fun," Cr Dyne said.

The Apex Santa Fair began at 3pm with families lining the park to enjoy rides, food stalls, story-telling, face-painting and to visit Santa with his sack of goodies.

The new soundshell roof, which was officially opened by Cr Dyne and Federal Senator Mark Furner MP at the events on Saturday, enhanced the live performances.

Musicians from AICM delivered great sound at the fair, and the Uniting Church Band led the Gympie Combined Churches Carols in the Park at 7pm to a large crowd in front of the soundshell.

Real candles were provided and the words were on screen for the first time so the community could join in.

The night finished with an extensive fireworks display sponsored by Gympie Regional Council.

The soundshell roof was completed earlier in the month to provide shelter and greater sound and lighting capabilities for live entertainment at Nelson Reserve.

"I believe Saturday's festivities are the first of many great community events to come at Nelson Reserve," Cr Dyne said.

Santa Fair chairman Sam Johnson said the events were a "massive success" and wants people to save the same date for next year.