It’s time to clear the Christmas ‘pipes’ and ready your voice for popular community Christmas carols in the park.
Buderim Community Carols will once again herald the beginning of the Christmas season. This year’s event is Sunday, December 14, from 5.30pm at the Buderim Village Park, Church Street, Buderim. It’s presented by the Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA) with the support of Buderim Bendigo Community Bank.
BWMCA carols organiser Andrew Butterworth said last year’s event attracted thousands of people with families coming from across the Coast to celebrate together.
“This year’s entertainment is once again directed by local entertainment professional Riley Cope, and we are delighted that Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli is joining us again as emcee,” Mr Butterworth said.
Mr Cope said this year’s program would feature performers from Cope Creative, Buderim Youth Theatre, Musical Theatre Holiday Intensive, Elite Dance Institute and 13 Ticks.
“There will also be plenty of opportunities for the community to join in and sing together,” he said.
Entry is by gold coin donation. Candlelite candles and other fun products can be purchased with funds raised going to the BWMCA to help fund the annual event.
The local ambulance association’s CPR awareness van will have volunteers demonstrating CPR skills to raise awareness of important life-saving skills.
Volunteer-run food and refreshment stalls include a sausage sizzle hosted by the Buderim Scout Group, hamburgers by Buderim Rotary Club, hot dogs by Buderim Lions Club, fairy floss from the Buderim Foundation and popcorn from Magnolia Health. Funds raised will go to the respective local charities.
“We hope the Buderim community will join in the spirit of peace and goodwill as we head into Christmas, and we would love to invite families from communities throughout the Coast to join us,” Mr Butterworth said.
“So, bring your chairs or picnic rugs and come and celebrate together.”
Buderim Bendigo Community Bank branch manager Darryl Stephenson said the bank was very proud to continue to support the carols.
“We are so fortunate to have such a talented line-up of performers,” Mr Stephenson said.
“It will be a very special event and a highlight on the calendar for the whole community.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she was looking forward to sharing the event with the people of Buderim.
“I simply adore Christmas and carols in particular,” she said.
“It’s not often we can come together as a community to celebrate something as pure, universal and heartfelt as the joy of sharing time with family and friends at this time of year.
“I love singing and candlelight, so to be able to combine them for an evening is simply heaven for me.”
The words to the Christmas carols will be on both printed and electronic versions of the event program. Simply scan the QR code for the electronic version, which will be uploaded to the BWMCA Facebook page a couple of days prior to the carols — or ask one of the volunteers at the event for assistance.
Event partners include major sponsor Buderim Bendigo Community Bank and the Sunshine Coast Council’s grants program, Hopkins Manttan Solicitors, Reflected Image Productions, Cope Creative, JPG Print and Design, Fenwicks Fruit Emporium and 104.9 Sunshine FM.
For a $2 donation to the Buderim Lions Club, patrons can park at Buderim Mountain State School on Main Street.
To keep up-to-date with weather conditions prior to the event, stay tuned to 104.9 Sunshine FM and the BWMCA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/buderimwarmemorialcommunityassociation.
In the event of severe weather, the show will go on at Buderim War Memorial Hall next to the park and attendance will be capped at the hall’s capacity.
