Christmas Where the Angas Flows event, pageant and carols to return

Santa Claus is preparing the reindeer and sleigh for his trip to Strathalbyn in December when Christmas Where The Angas Flows makes its grand return.

The annual community event provides an opportunity for families to celebrate the end of the school year and local businesses to thank the community for its support by gathering at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens for various Christmas activities, including the Pageant and Carols by Candlelight.

The beloved festivities have been missed the past two years due to COVID, but will finally make an awaited return on Friday, December 16 to celebrate the event’s 46th anniversary.

“Strathalbyn Rotary Club conducted the first event (in 1974), with about 80 children in attendance in the Rotary carpark, adjacent to the Terminus Hotel,” Strathalbyn-ward councillor, Craig Maidment, said.

“Businesses were approached to contribute $50 to the cost of the giveaways, and their generosity enabled the quality of presents to be continually upgraded and expanded as numbers increased – Les Roberts and Ron Critchley were most adept in bringing the business community together to support this initiative.

“Most parents walked there with their children in pyjamas at 7pm to be greeted by Father Christmas who rode into town in a horse and trap, where it then took some time to get through the line-up, as the children were not rushed and the event didn’t wind up until dark.”

This event format continued until the late 80s, before it was expanded to include the closure of Dawson Street for a Christmas Street Party, as well as street decorations, food vendors, music, and free childrens’ activities by the then-Advance Strathalbyn Association (ASA).

The Strathalbyn and District Commerce Association took responsibility of the street party when ASA folded, introducing fireworks through the generosity of Ann Owen, and combining the Carols by Candlelight event with other festivities in the gardens.

In 2014, the Inter Church Council established Christmas Where The Angas Flows, where people can enjoy an array of rides, food vendors and other stalls, floats, carols performed by local schools and singers, and a visit from Santa, followed by $5000 worth of fireworks.

Organiser Graham Jenke is hoping to hold the same festivities this year, but required support from the community.

“In 2019, the budget was $22,000, so it’s fairly big,” he said.

“We’re looking at what we can do depending on what finances we can get this year through donations from the community and churches.

“Last year, we had an evening down at the footy oval and the community groups put in things there, and that was well-supported.

“Everybody has been asking for quite a while if we’re going to have it this year… it can only succeed if it’s not only supported by people, but by sponsorship.”

Major sponsors are being sought for the fireworks and childrens’ rides, with other sponsorships and donations from interested businesses, community groups and residents greatly appreciated.

Fellow Strathalbyn councillor Rex Keily looked forward to the upcoming celebrations, and encouraged people to throw their support behind the event.

“I think it’s great, this year particularly coming out of COVID,” he said.

“People are starting to look forward to things, (so) it’s something we think the town will be excited about.”

For sponsorship and donation enquiries, contact Graham Jenke on 0429 936 598.