THE final countdown has started for two of the Derwent Valley’s biggest events of the year: the Lions Club’s carols by candlelight and the Rotary Club’s New Norfolk Christmas parade.
Organised by the Lions Club of New Norfolk, the community carols made a successful return last year after the 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Derwent Valley Rotary Club’s New Norfolk Christmas parade and fair has had a longer break but this year’s parade is promising to be one of the best yet.
CAROLS IN THE PARK: The new stage at the swimming pool end of the New Norfolk Esplanade will host the carols event, which will be held on Friday, December 9. Entry is free. Children’s activities will be offered from 6pm with youth group D’FAT providing a range of games. Snake Lady Veronika Ross will be there, along with Sands Family Circus. Face painting will also be available. The musical entertainment will start at about 7.45pm when the Derwent Valley Concert Band will perform. Community Christmas carols singing will start after the concert band concludes. Guest singers Grace Ovens and Nicole Sims-Farrow and the St Brigid’s Catholic School Choir will also perform.
Several food and drink options will be available, with the Derwent Valley Rotary Club sausage sizzle, and on-site food vans offering fresh food, ice-cream and coffee. The Derwent Valley Council warns of heavy traffic expected around the Esplanade from the late afternoon. Visitors to the carols will be directed to designated parking areas.
CHRISTMAS PARADE AND FAIR: The New Norfolk Christmas Parade is back after a two-year break due to coronavirus public health restrictions. Paired with the Rotary Club’s Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 10, the organisers hope this will be the biggest parade yet. More than 20 floats are already registered, featuring local community groups, schools and businesses, as well as three marching bands and more. The fair will operate on Arthur Square from 9am-2pm, with Christmas gift stalls and activities. The parade will be held at noon, running along High St from Arthur Square to Circle St and return. The parade will be broadcast live on 98.9 Tyga FM. The Derwent Valley Council advises that rolling road closures will start from 10am around Arthur Square and at various entry points around High St. All streets will be re-opened by 2pm.
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a proud sponsor of both events. Follow newnorfolknews.com and don’t miss the Christmas issue of New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News for photos from the parade and carols.
