KINGS Parade has been hit by a touch of Christmas, less than four weeks out from big day.
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In recent years, Bathurst Regional Council has come under fire for the lack of festive spirit in the central business district.
However, in the last 12 months it has stepped up its efforts by putting out more decorations.
On Friday, the big Christmas tree in Kings Parade was formally unveiled, as were some unique miniature versions.
Mayor Graeme Hanger said council had engaged Bathurst schools to join in the celebrations this year, inviting students to leave their mark on the festivities.
“The primary schools around the district made Christmas trees and it’s all part of the park display,” he said. “They all look lovely and we encourage families to come down and look at what they’ve done.”
Each school was given a timber pallet, cut into the shape of a tree by council’s outdoors staff, to decorate however they wished.
Year 1 students at Cathedral Primary School each got to make a decoration, which was attached to the tree.
Meanwhile, Carenne School students used all recycled materials and Kelso Public School handpicked materials they knew would hold up while their tree was in Kings Parade.
The trees will remain in Kings Parade for the next month, giving members of the public plenty of opportunities to see them.
Cr Hanger said that, if the upcycled trees were successful, council would look to continue the initiative.
“We’ll do this next year or maybe even something different. It’s an evolving thing,” he said of the decorations.
In addition to the upcycled trees and the giant Christmas tree, council has hung festive banners around town and put its own lights on the civic centre, while business houses are encouraged to light up their shop windows.
Cr Hanger said he was pleased to see council and the Bathurst Business Chamber working together “to make sure we have a great celebration”.