Mordialloc New Year’s Eve fireworks and Chelsea Christmas carols cancelled but hope remains for Christmas Summer Carnival

Mordialloc foreshore and Chelsea’s Bicentennial Park will be a lot quieter this festive season following the cancellation of fireworks and carols. But Kingston residents still have plenty of ways to celebrate, with hopes the summer carnival can still go ahead.

New Year’s Eve fireworks at Mordialloc foreshore have been cancelled. Picture: Generic

Mordialloc’s New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled but the summer carnival is yet to be ruled out, it has been revealed.

Anticipation of large crowds gathering along the Mordialloc foreshore led to the decision however organiser Smart Amusements announced the hugely popular Mordialloc Christmas Summer Carnival could still go ahead under a COVID-safe schedule.

It comes after Kingston Council’s Carols by Kingston, held at Chelsea’s Bicentennial Park, was also scrapped due to mass gathering rules.

“We are currently in discussion with Kingston Council about holding the Mordialloc Christmas Summer Carnival with a session based structure limited to the numbers as set by the State Government for events which we hope will be released over the coming weeks,” Smart Amusements spokeswoman Jane Timson told the Leader.

Ms Timson said the group ran events interstate during Melbourne’s lockdown including a fun fair in Adelaide which had three sessions — each with a limit of 3000 people — spread across each day.

“(The event) had enhanced cleaning in between sessions, regular cleaning of rides and touch points, sanitiser stations at all contact points and contract tracing of all event attendees and COVID-19 marshals,” Ms Timson said.

“ … we are really hoping we can put the event on and help the local traders of Mordialloc have a great summer.”

In a Leader social media call out made on Facebook last week, 77 per cent of respondents pushed for New Year’s Eve fireworks to go ahead.

“Yes please, there is plenty of space to see them along the foreshore and it’s tradition … they are not massive or go too long like the CBD ones — just a bit of fun and brightness for the family, let’s have some fun,” Jennifer Anne said.

“Yes let us celebrate the end of a bad year,” Argie Smirnakos said.

“No … let’s put the money back into local business and entertainment and not scare the s**** out of wildlife and pets,” Kirsty Elizabeth wrote.

Kingston’s Carols by Kingston at Chelsea’s Bicentennial Park was also scrapped due to mass gathering rules however residents can still deck the halls as part of council’s Tinsel Trail festivities.

Families are encouraged to immerse themselves in Christmas magic across the region with pop-up carollers, segway Santa, neon decorations, shop local bags and Santa’s mailboxes making appearances along shopping strips.

The Tinsel Trail also features virtual Christmas-themed story time sessions and workshops hosted by Kingston Libraries.

Shoppers can also share their local purchases on social media with the hashtag #kingstonstinseltrail for the chance to win prizes.

“Kingston businesses have been hard hit by the lockdowns and retail restrictions in recent months and we hope the Tinsel Trail will help encourage our community to shop locally and support our traders,” Kingston Council chief executive Julie Reid said.

“There will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate the festive season while shopping local for loved ones.”

For more information on local activities and opportunities to get involved click here.

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