It’s looking a lot like Christmas around the Orange Central Business District.
As part of Council’s Future City plan to encourage people to visit the CBD, Council has funded more than $50,000 worth of Christmas decorations to beautify the area and brighten people’s sprits.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the extra spend on Christmas decorations was in lieu of the annual Carols by Candlelight event which could not go ahead because of Coronavirus restrictions.
“This year has been tough for so many in our community,” Cr Kidd said.
An electrician coming out of the roof of the rotunda in Robertson Park
“Many people are still recovering from the drought and then the Coronavirus pandemic put so much extra pressure on people financially and emotionally.
“We really wanted to give people something to be happy about, something to smile about, to help bring some light to everyone’s lives in this really tough time.
“We weren’t able to go ahead with the annual Carols event because that event takes months of planning and we didn’t know how many people would be allowed to attend. In light of some restrictions being eased we’ve been able to host a slimmed down Carols event during the second Future Tunes show, December 18. We’re pleased the Orange Regional Conservatorium will be able to perform again, as they have done for many years.
“Council is also proud to sponsor a local radio station Triple M, which plans to broadcast a local carols event to people on their homes on December 19.
“If you’ve driven past the Civic Centre on Byng Street at night you would have seen the large Christmas tree in the window of the Orange Visitors Information Centre, and you would have seen the Christmas lights spanning the height and width of the large Swamp Cypress on the corner of Lords Place and Byng.
“The electricians have been busy in Summer Street stringing icicle style lights along the awnings of the Hotel Canobolas and the Royal Hotel.
“The team will be hitting up the balcony of the Civic Centre in the coming days to erect the ‘countdown Santa’ who displays how many days left until Christmas and hang Christmas lights across that area too.
“The rotunda in Robertson Park is looking glorious with a large Christmas star on the roof, fairy lights and Christmas garlands adorning the roof. You can see behind me the team has been installing this new addition to our Christmas decoration collection, this morning. A large, arched walkway styled like a Christmas bauble.
“This year has been really difficult but I’m so proud of the Orange community for banding together, helping out our neighbours, our local businesses and being there for one another when they need it most.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet but 2021 is looking to be a little brighter. Our local businesses, agricultural enterprises and the entertainment industry really needs our support so let’s continue to shop local where we can, eat out where we can and go to all the local music shows, theatre shows, and local art gallery exhibitions and let’s help boost our local economy.”
