Banna Avenue will be festooned with illuminated trees and dazzling lights this Christmas, which is shaping up to be the most spectacular display in Griffith's history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Christmas Working Group has won a $340,000 government grant, pushing their total budget up to $390,000 - over 13 times larger than last year's.
The group already has big plans for the money, including 12 illuminated trees down the main street, a giant walk-in bauble display, 12 sparkling shooting star signs, and many spools of fairy lights.
Full-time bus driver and part-time Santa Claus Louis Dal Nevo will make a reappearance this year, braving the summer heat in his red suit to spread the Christmas cheer.
It will be his 33rd year as Santa Claus, and Mr Dal Nevo said he continues the tradition every year in order to see the smiles appear on people's faces whenever he arrives in his bus.
"It's about that split second if life when you feel that happiness you felt as a child," Mr Dal Nevo said.
"I feel like I am Santa Claus when I'm in that suit. I'm not anyone else."
Shopkeeper and Christmas enthusiast Dino Zappacosta said the working group hoped the spirit of Christmas would bring some merriment after a depressing year.
Even after Christmas Mr Zappacosta is planning to keep some of the trees illuminated throughout the rest of the year to keep the "magic" of Christmas alive during the tough times.
"Particularly at the moment because of COVID-19 people are feeling beaten down and feeling the weight of economic stress and unemployment," Mr Zappacosta said.
"We need a bit of assistance to feel better. This Christmas is going to be so fantastic, such a lift to the community of Griffith to give us that spirit we've been missing for some time now."
The Memorial Park tree and the Yenda tree will be replaced with brand new ones this year, and the Christmas light display competition, Christmas banners, carols and the Christmas light bus tours will also be returning.
The working group is encouraging residents and businesses to participate by lighting up and decorating their homes and shopfronts to help make this year's Christmas one to remember.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
