COVID-19 will not break a long held Raymond Terrace tradition - the lighting of the town's massive Christmas tree.
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The 43 metre tall Norfolk pine tree on the grounds of the Old Rectory, which had half a kilometre of Christmas lights installed in it last month, will be switched on by one lucky child on Friday.
Raymond Terrace Bowling Club will host the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on December 4 from 6pm.
"With things being a little different this year, Santa is not able to make it," the bowling club stated.
"But [he] has not forgotten the children. He has dropped lollies in and left raffle tickets for the kids."
Each child who attends the event will receive a raffle ticket.
The winner of the raffle will have the honour of flicking the switch to light up the tree.
The Jumpin' Jukebox trio will be providing musical entertainment until it becomes dark. There will also be a jumping castle for children.
However, strict COVID-19 rules will apply. Event attendees must remain seated at all times, dancing is not permitted and patrons are asked to socially distance themselves from other families. All event attendees will be required to check in.
The bowling club advises those planning to head along to take a picnic rug or chair to "get comfy on the lawn" under the tree.
The Rectory Cafe will be open for event attendees to grab a drink or food.
Earlier story: Lights signal start to Port's festive season
In a year that has been disruptive to say the least, there was a welcome scene of normalcy in Raymond Terrace on Monday when Dwayne Hopper and his team installed the Christmas lights in the town's iconic Norfolk pine tree.
The installation of the Christmas lights in the towering Terrace tree, located within the grounds of the old Rectory, typically signals the start to the festive season in Port Stephens.
"Sitting at the top of the tree feels normal to me," Mr Hopper told the Examiner through a headset while fixing one of the strings of lights to the top of the 43 metre-tall tree.
"We get a real kick out of doing this every year. It puts a smile on people's faces and I think there's a few people out there who need a reason to smile and to feel some sense of normalcy at this time of the year."
Mr Hopper, who is known as Hopper the Tree Lopper, has a long history with installing the Christmas lights in the Norfolk pine tree. So long in fact that he has lost track how many years he has done it.
On Monday, it was business as usual - butcher bird swooping him and all.
"He's just letting me know he's here," Mr Hopper joked. "He's swooping me less this year. Maybe it's used to me now."
Throughout the day on Monday Mr Hopper scaled the tree and was fed from his team on the ground 12 lots of 40 metre-long strings of multi-coloured LED festoon lights, which he fixed to the top.
He then fixed the star to the very top of the tree.
Port Stephens Council, who own the lights, will switch the lights on once they have been connected to power.
Mr Hopper and team were Nelson Bay at the end of November to install the Christmas lights in the Norfolk pine tree in Apex Park.
This year, both of the big Norfolk pines in the park will have lights installed. In the past, the tree to the left of the stage in the park has had lights installed but not the second tree closest to the visitor information centre.
The lights in all three trees will be taken down at the end of January or beginning of February.
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.
