Queanbeyan is bringing the Christmas cheer in July this weekend. Photos: Supplied.
Every July for the last three years, the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) has spread winter Christmas joy to the community with a magical market day, which is happening again this year on Sunday, July 29 from 10 am to 4 pm at Queanbeyan Showground in Glebe Avenue.
Christmas in July is a community and family event and a mini version of the massive annual Queanbeyan Show. Along with the Christmas spirit and tidings of good cheer, the event will include a snow installation set up by Christmas Emporium in Fyshwick, tethered balloon rides, obstacle courses, archery, bubble soccer and an art exhibit, Birds of a Feather in the poultry shed, presented by the Braidwood and Queanbeyan Art Societies.
The event is all about supporting the local community and showing off some of its best innovations with quality, handmade products and services unique to the area. It’s buying from your backyard and using this opportunity to give our local community an economic boost by uplifting local innovators, makers and creators.
All vendors and stall holders will be selling their own locally produced crafts, food and other items.
QPRC Events Team Leader Laura Shelley says Queanbeyan Christmas in July is about the community being on show.
“This is a chance to meet and support your whole community, buy local and love your locals,” she said.
“When you come to Queanbeyan Christmas in July it’s about being part of the story – you meet the makers, see the food being made and go home with the knowledge that you have made a real contribution to your community. It feels warm.
“Working on this event is my favourite thing – I get to mix snow, dogs and chocolate.”
There’s a huge list of stall holders including:
- Meat Pies by Peggy’s Pantry
- Honey and bee products by Bees R Us
- Jewellery by Tangs
- Knitwear by Nullarbor
- Olive oils by Flatout Produce
- Pottery by Caroline Walker-Grime
Check out Sophia Brady’s top food and wine experiences to try at the Market, here.
The Christmas market day celebration, like traditional Christmas, will have its share of merriment, gifts, the delightful smell of mulled wine and copious amounts of good food – but there will be a twist!
This year, Santa from the South Pole will make an appearance, riding on a motorcycle! He’s more of a laid-back Santa in his spare time, says Laura, instead of the jolly old man from the North Pole that we’re used to. Santa’s chair is also something to talk about. It’s made from motorcycle parts donated by local mechanics and the Ulysses Motorcycle Club and built from scratch by the Queanbeyan Men’s Shed.
Christmas is not Christmas without a tree. The market will have a giving tree to collect items for the homeless and needy. The public is encouraged to donate non-perishable food, blankets and pet food.
For more information on Christmas in July Market Day, a map and program, visit the QPRC website here and on Facebook. It’s free to attend and you can pre-register here.
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