Festive cheer for spirited carols

CAROLERS were spoiled for choice over the weekend with two big nights of carols held in Ipswich.

Jessica Scott, 14, and Claudia Neumann, 14, at Brassall.

CAROLERS were spoiled for choice over the weekend with two big nights of carols held in Ipswich.

A huge crowd turned out on Friday night to see some of Ipswich's finest talent on show at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Brassall, while the Mayor's Carols by Candlelight featured rides and entertainment alongside carolling.

The 17th celebration in Brassall's Sutton Park had a huge turnout with families from across the region attending.

Ipswich councillor and Christmas in the Park Committee chairwoman Cheryl Bromage said the evening had been one of the best they'd had.

"It was just brilliant," she said. "The weather was perfect for it and we had a bumper crowd."

Cr Bromage said the talent on show was of the highest quality.

"We get so many people calling wanting to be a part of the entertainment.

"We had a pair of young mums perform this year.

"They saw the carols and decided they wanted to be a part of the night. It was really great."

After a rough year for Ipswich residents, Cr Bromage said the night was an opportunity for people to relax and enjoy themselves.

"The year has been a terrible year for a lot of people," she said.

"Christmas in the Park was a chance to forget their worries for a night.

"The amount of people who were there having a great time and singing along to the carols was just fantastic."

The Mayor's Carols by Candlelight at the Ipswich Turf Club also had a great crowd of locals turn out.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the night had been a great success.

"It was an absolutely fantastic night," he said.

"We were blessed with the storms heading to the Gold Coast and Brisbane and avoiding here, so we had uninterrupted carols.

"Everyone I've talked to said they had a great night and how much the kids were enjoying it."

Cr Pisasale took to the stage to play violin during the carols, alongside a number of other local performers.

He said Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley spoke to the crowd about the strength of the city after the flood.

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Posted by Daily Mercury on Monday, June 29, 2015

Originally published as Festive cheer for spirited carols