Are you ready for a big weekend?
Santa won’t be the only shining light in town this weekend, as Hobart gears up for a bumper couple of days of fun and festivities.
Events
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SANTA won’t be the only shining light in town this weekend, as Hobart gears up for a bumper couple of days of fun and festivities.
Whether you choose a relaxing rural show, the excitement of the festive season or — for the energetic — a run up the mountain, there will be something for everyone.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
THOUSANDS of spirited spectators are expected to line the streets of Hobart on Saturday when more than 60 entries parade through the CBD for the annual Myer Christmas Pageant.
Hobart City Council Alderman Bill Harvey said he expected a large turnout to this year’s event after record numbers flocked to the parade last year.
“If weather’s on our side, I think we’ll see big crowds gather for the annual pageant,” he said.
“But regardless, I expect people will still come out rain, hail or shine.”
The pageant route will be slightly different this year as it starts on Liverpool St outside Dumpling World and follows along Liverpool St, Harrington St and returns down Collins St.
The 90-minute pageant begins at 10.30am, and a number of the CBD’s roads will be closed between 7.30am and 1pm.
FORECAST FINE FOR FESTIVE FUN IN HOBART
POINT TO PINNACLE
RACE organisers say they are delighted to see record numbers signed up for this year’s Point to Pinnacle, which gets under way tomorrow.
More than 3600 runners, walkers and rollers will take on the world’s toughest marathon, with about 100 more entrants than last year signed up.
Race director Tim Smith said the race had become more community-minded in recent years.
“With the amount of fundraising that gets done through the race, we’re seeing more families come out to join in with the elite runners,” he said.
“A number of people see it as an event to raise money for a good cause and they really tie themselves to it.
“It’s great to see so many entries this year including 509 interstate runners.”
The 24th Point to Pinnacle begins at 7am on Sunday.
A full list of road closures can be found by visiting www.pointtopinnacle.com.au.
ZINE FAIR
THE Hobart zine fair is now in its sixth year and kicked off on Friday night with a launch party featuring live comic readings.
It continues on Saturday, when more than 30 makers will lay out their handmade, self-published titles for sale and swapping at Battery Point Community Hall.
Humble zines are a world away from glossy mags and that is a big part of their appeal, says Small Press Zine Fair organiser Joshua Santospirito of the homemade publications.
Running the show and exhibiting, Mr Santospirito made his first zines as a child, though he didn’t call them that.
“I dreamt of making books and what I did make was things stapled together like this,” the graphic novelist and nurse said.
Descending from 1940s sci-fi fanzines and a host of other earlier incarnations including political manifesto pamphlets, zines can be about anything at all.
One on show is about mates and another is a comic book-style look at a childhood obsession with Harry Potter.
“It is really sweet, interesting and a little bit tragic,” Mr Santospirito said.
He expects a crowd of hundreds to attend the event.
“Zine fairs have a lovely vibe to them,” he said.
“People come out of the woodwork. They often attract shy types who might not be bold enough to have an art exhibition but will do some drawing at home and make a zine out of it.
“There is no way to make money out of this. People are in it for the joy of connection and sharing what they have created.”
Closet zine makers are welcome to turn up on the day with their creations and he will find table space for them.
The fair is on at Battery Point Community Hall, 52 Hampden Rd, on Saturday from 1-5pm. Free entry.
HIGHLANDS BUSHFEST
BUSH lovers can get ready to celebrate all things outdoors when the annual Highlands Bushfest sets up camp.
The Central Highlands Council event at the Bothwell Recreation Ground showcases a range of recreational activities including fishing, hunting, camping and four-wheel-driving.
The family-friendly event will also provide facepainting, train rides, sheepdog demonstrations and, for the first time, a Tas Laser Skirmish Mobile Battlefield.
The event is from 9am on Saturday and Sunday. Entry is by gold coin donation.
HUON SHOW
A STELLAR crowd is expected to flock to Ranelagh on Saturday for the 2018 instalment of the Huon Show.
Beginning in 1947, the Huon Show has been a staple on Tasmania’s rural calendar, with 15,000 patrons attending the event last year.
The show opens at 8am and finishes at 4.30pm at the Ranelagh Recreation Ground.
Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 5-16 and free for children under $5.
TAKE CARE ON THE ROADS
TASMANIA Police advises motorists and members of the public to take care on the roads across the weekend during traffic interruptions.
“As road users we all have a role to play in doing the right thing on our roads so that we can get to where we need to be, safely,” a police spokesman said.
We all know how frustrating traffic congestion can be, but there is a few things we all can do to help to ease the issue, including:
PLAN ahead — leave earlier or later or take an alternative route.
SLOW down and be aware of your surroundings.
DON’T block intersections or clearways.
BE patient and courteous — everyone needs to be somewhere.
Grab your copy of the Saturday Mercury for a liftout guide to the Hobart Christmas Pageant
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