The Port Stephens community marked the start to the festive season on Sunday by turning out in the thousands to watch Santa arrive in town and digging deep to raise $12,700 for Legacy.
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MarketPlace Raymond Terrace’s community day featuring a parade to welcome Santa, Show n Shine, entertainment, rides, giveaways and community stalls was a “great success” centre manager Colleen Mulholland-Ruiz said.
“The day to us, MarketPlace, is our way to thank the community. That’s why everything is free – the rides, face-painting, everything,” she said.
“The community really is the heart and soul to this place, what makes it so special. Yes, we do have blue water and beautiful countryside but without the people we’re really nothing.”
Santa has been arriving at MarketPlace with fanfare since 1999.
As the event continued to grow, the parade, held annually on the second Sunday in December, moved to outside the centre.
For the past three years, MarketPlace has used the day to raise money for charity.
As the parade and community day fell on November 11 this year, the centre incorporated Remembrance Day into it by having children decorate big poppies which were on display, pausing for a minute’s silence at 11am and raising funds for the Newcastle branch of Legacy.
Santa arrived in the Terrace on Sunday morning in style – carried in a Williamtown RAAF Base Bushmaster troop carrier in a parade with Irrawang High School Drum Corps, school children, dance groups, characters and Batman in the Batmobile.
Children, music groups and choirs spent the day performing on the sportsground outside the centre, entertaining thousands that turned out for the activities and events.
A friendly rock wall climb challenge was held on Sunday between Senior Constable Charlie Maybury representing Port Stephens police, Isabel Rios from Fire and Rescue Raymond Terrace and Sahra Challinor from Port Stephens SES.
It was Senior Constable Maybury who brought the win home for police.
The Show n Shine, in its second year, had 160 vehicles enter – 40 more than last year.
Attendance numbers to Sunday’s community day were high. MarketPlace staff counted 22,000 people walk inside the shopping centre between 10am and 2pm.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
