Borgnis St Christmas lights: Plug pulled on Davidson’s annual display due to coronavirus

It attracts thousands of sightseers each year, but organisers of a popular northern beaches’ street Christmas light display have had to pull the plug due to COVID-19.

A visit to the Christmas lights’ display in Borgnis Ave, Davidson has become a tradition for many families, but due to COVID concerns, organisers have cancelled this year’s event. Picture: Jeremy Piper

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Fear of the spread of COVID-19 among local families has forced organisers to pull the plug on one of the northern beaches’ most popular Christmas events.

Residents of Borgnis St, Davidson, who cover their houses in twinkling Christmas lights and festive displays each year, have cancelled the 2020 event.

Jan Cabilao, Bronte Gavathas, Olivia Malicki, and Bridget Maloney, at the Borgnis Street Christmas Lights display. Picture: Braden Fastier

Organisers said they could not “provide a COVID-safe environment” for the tens of thousands of sightseers who stream along the street during the festive season.

They even discussed with police and health officials allowing visitors to drive through in cars, but there was not way of guaranteeing people would remaining in their vehicles and maintain social distancing on a public street.

“We would love to have been able to do the lights and left the decision to as late as possible but unfortunately its not to be this year, ”an organiser wrote on Facebook.

The cancellation comes just weeks after Northern Beaches Council dropped major Christmas carol concerts and popular New Year’s Eve fireworks, including the massively popular Christmas Choral Concert at Manly Oval because of COVID social distancing rules.

Trisha Chatman, her husband Jason and two children, Lachlan 4 and Jayden 6 years old outside their home decorated with Christmas lights in Borgnis St. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

A visit to Borgnis in the run up to Christmas has became a tradition for families since it began 25 years ago.

It also raises money for the Bear Cottage children’s hospice at Manly. Last year it raised, with the help of local Rotary Club branches, $35,000 for the charity.

In a post on the Borgnis Street Christmas Lights Facebook page, organisers said the event had “been dimmed for 2020 due to the current COVID restrictions.”

The lights in Borgnis St, Davidson, will be dimmed this year. Picture: Trish Handley

“The residents have sadly come to the decision that they cannot provide a COVID safe environment at this time and have decided to not switch the lights on this year.

“We wish all our visitors/followers a very Merry Christmas and hope to see you all back visiting the street in 2021 when we will be back bigger and brighter.”

Organisers urged people to keep supporting Bear Cottage over the Christmas season and make a donation on behalf of Borgnis St.

Each year children staying at Bear Cottage visit the street. Children staying at the Royal Far West facility at Manly are also frequent visitors to the street.

Kellyann Earl 7, of Collarenebri, and Shayla Walsh 8, of Leeton, from Royal Far West toured the Christmas lights at Davidson. Picture: Braden Fastier

After it cancelled its public festive season event, the council said it was organising smaller events in town centres, parks and reserves across the northern beaches.

The council will put the funds it saved from the carols and fireworks’ events towards smaller initiatives such as public and street art, localised performers and carollers, lighting displays and hanging Christmas decorations.

To donate to Bear Cottage go to https://www.schf.org.au/donate-to-bear-cottage is appreciated