December 14, 2015
MERRY Maffra traders are spreading the festive cheer by decorating the main street ahead of their first annual twilight Christmas festival.
The Maffra Business Tourism Association will light up Johnson Street this Friday December 18 with late night trading and a family-friendly carnival featuring children’s activities, live music, food, wine – and, of course, a visit from Santa.
MBTA president Marcus Stobie said the traders had decorated the trees and shop-fronts along the main shopping street, with the help of local primary school students.
“Since re-forming this year, the MBTA wanted to do something special to bring all the traders together and help local families celebrate Christmas,” Mr Stobie said.
“This time of year can get pretty hectic for everyone, so the festival gives families a chance to get into the festive spirit in a stress-free environment and finish any last-minute Christmas shopping.
“It is also a great chance for people who might not normally shop in Maffra to come down and check out the great products we have on offer in our small businesses.”
Mr Stobie said traders had been busy decorating the trees, streetlights and shop windows, but needed help with vacant stores along the main street.
“We asked local primary school students to come on board and brighten up the vacant windows with Christmas cards and posters. We’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response coming back from shoppers,” Mr Stobie said.
“It has helped give the town that little extra boost of colour and really emphasize that strong community spirit we have here in Maffra.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will official open the Maffra Christmas Festival, which starts 5.30pm and runs until 9pm, December 18.
“I congratulate all the volunteers who have worked hard to re-establish the MBTA and create an event that will generate plenty of excitement for families in the region,” Mr Chester said.
“The Maffra Christmas Festival is a great chance to bring everyone together and also help support our local traders. Shopping locally creates jobs in our community and gives young Gippslanders a chance to achieve their full potential.”
The Maffra Christmas Festival is supported by MG Trading, Maffra and District Community Bank, Pund and Associations, Gippsland Times and Maffra Spectator, Southern Rural Water, Stobies Land and Surf and Andersons Removals.
CAPTION: Maffra Business Tourism Association (MBTA) traders (from left) Lauren McQuillen, Pam Anderson, Marcus Stobie, Narelle Gray, Phil Bartlett, Alistair Hicks and Peta Allman joined Gippsland MHR Darren Chester to promote the upcoming Christmas Festival on December 18.
