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Markets Guide
December
Gloucester Farmers Market, Billabong Park, Saturday, December 9 from 8am; Coomba Growers Market, Coomba Aquatic Club, Saturday, December 9 at 9am; Johns River Country Market, Johns River Hall, Saturday, December 9 at 8am; Burrell Creek Hall Market, Sunday, December 10 at 9am; Forster Town park Market, Sunday, December 10 at 8am; Gloucester Twilight Christmas Markets, Billabong Park, Friday, December 15 from 5.30pm; Taree High Christmas Twilight market, Saturday, December 16 from 3pm; Hub Markets, Saturday, December 16 at Wingham Showground from 8am.
FIND OUT WHAT'S ON AT MANNING REGIONAL ART GALLERY HERE
Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine Tour
Every Wednesday and Saturday
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is a precinct of natural beauty and colonial heritage near Gloucester. You can uncover its treasures on a guided tour. You'll be guided through Mountain Maid gold mining precinct hidden in the rainforest near the village of Copeland. Time 10am-12pm. Bookings essential, online only at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour.
"As I See It" exhibit
December 7-31
After 14 years on the brushes, Fred Bullen has since established himself as an artist of considerable note, as evidenced by his exhibition As I See It, on show at Gloucester Gallery from December 7 to 31.
Forster Discovery Day
December 9
Forster Civic Centre will host a Discovery Day on Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 2pm. A day of free activities and entertainment at the new Forster Civic Centre, perfect to take the kids to, or take a look around yourself! There will be sausage sizzles, kids arts and crafts, family and maritime history, author and illustrator workshops, treasure hunt, coffee van, guided tours of the Forster Civic Centre, Aussie Ark will be there with two Tassie Devil joeys - Fury and Dawn. No bookings needed, just turn up.
Coopernook Carols in the Park
December 9
Come along and celebrate Christmas in Coopernook with Christmas Carols in the Coopernook Park from 6pm to 8.30pm. Food stalls and lots of singing involved!
Coomba Aquatic Club
December 10 and January 14
Join us for some fun on the lake. Sailing (your boat or ours), motor boat, fishing, paddle board, kayak - all at your leisure. Free sausage sizzle from 12pm. Participants must wear life jackets (yours or ours), boat shoes or sneakers, and have sun protection. For enquiries or more details, contact: secretary@coombaaquatic.club or 0429 272 363.
Carols in the Park - Black Head
December 10
Carols in the Park, in Wylie Breckenridge Park at Black Head, on Sunday, December 10 from 6pm to 7.30 is presented by Uniting (Community) Church and Hallidays Point Lions. Enjoy entertainment and community singing lead by Manning Concert Band and featuring Raelene Brown, Alysse Iverson, Paul Eade, George Hoad, Amiel Camphuis, Chanel Webber, St Clare's Rock Band, Nic Burton, Paul Vandersvelt and Alan Tickle. Santa will be making an appearance. Coffee van, Lions catering, glo candles and stars for sale. Santa will be making an appearance. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the evening. A donation is appreciated on the night.
Carols by Candlelight
December 11
Rotary Club of Lower Midcoast Carols by Candlelight, Harry Elliott Oval Tuncurry, , 6pm for 6.30pm
Christmas Race Day Party
December 11
Enjoy a great day of racing at Tuncurry Jockey Club's Christmas party race day. As usual, all the bells and whistles with free live entertainment, free local buses, free on site parking, great food and of course a fantastic day of thoroughbred racing.
Twilight Christmas at Gloucester
December 15
Come along for a wonderful night of festivities in Gloucester including twilight Markets- get those last minute Christmas presents from local suppliers; Main Street businesss shopping; street parade; lighting the town Christmas Tree, and live entertainment, brought to you by the Gloucester Business Chamber. Starting at 5.30pm.
Taree Carols by Candlelight
December 16
Celebrate the festive season with the community at the 2023 Carols by Candlelight held at the Manning Riverstage. Barbecue, drinks, tea and coffee and of course ice creams will be available. Grab your candles and stars too! Bring a chair or picnic rug to sit on and enjoy this great night for the whole family! Proudly presented by the Combined Services Club of Taree.
Light Up Old Bar
December 16
The Old Bar community is invited to a wonderful new event to celebrate the Christmas season as Old Bar village is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. From 3pm to 9pm, there'll be an assortment of stalls and local retail; enjoy a family meal out finished with a dessert; light up the Christmas tree, family wagon rides, retail stalls, face painting, vintage cars, Christmas carols, Santa is visiting and so much more! The activities within the village mean Old Bar Road will be closed at Waterman Street and David Street. See full details at Light Up Old Bar website:
Twilight Christmas Market
December 16
A Twilight Christmas Market will be held at Taree High School raising funds for the P and C. Presented by Night Bazaar, the community market is for all to attend and show your support by purchasing from local small businesses. A barbecue and drinks will be available. Plenty of parking and easy access for all. Stall sites available $20. To book contact 0422 950 456 or email thspcmarket@gmail.com. All money from site fees goes to Taree High P&C.
Christmas party in the Paddock
December 16
"The Good Fellas Band" will be performing at Great Lakes Paddock, Wootton. These guys are good fun for the whole family and are ready to party. Bring what you need to get comfy in the paddock a camp chair or a picnic rug with a spare pair of dancing shoes or maybe barefoot is more your style!
Carols at Bulahdelah
December 16
Come along and join the Bulahdelah community at the Carols by Candlelight at Bulahdelah Showground from 5pm. Featuring Brooke Harvey, Trevor Knight, Jenny Smith and more. A special guest appearance by Santa. Enjoy the Lions Club barbecue, on site coffee van and Roscoe's Ice Cream van. Bring a chair, rug and the kids. Come along for a singalong!! All weather event - Undercover at the Opera House.
Lions Club Trampoline and Putt Putt
December 16 to January 28
Run by the Lions Club charity, this place has been around for decades and is still a great little spot to take the kids. The new trampolines are bouncier than your typical backyard ones, for endless fun and bouncing. The little kiosk sells soft drinks and mixed lollies as well. There's a row of benches under shade cover so parents can sit and watch, also some picnic tables for bringing your lunch as well. Opening 10am to 9pm is weather permitting, located at Lot 4 Head Street, Forster (right-hand side before the bridge). $5pp trampolines, $5pp putt putt. Closed Christmas Eve from 5pm-9pm and closed Christmas Day.
Manning Valley Concert Band Christmas concert
December 17
Manning Valley Concert Band have become well known for their end of year performances and this years Christmas Concert, A Christmas Celebration, will be no different. Hosted by George Hoad AM, a new program of music is set for the stage at St John's Anglican Church on Sunday, December 17 at 2pm. Joining the band will be soloists Jodi Cooper, George Hoad, Paul Eade and Michael Standen, with the welcome addition of the Songlines Music Studio Choir, a new ensemble of young voices under the direction of Deidre Sutherland and Jodi Cooper. The program will include a number of Christmas songs including Australian carols, some music from the movies, and a couple of big band numbers thrown in. Tickets are $15 at the door with children under 16 years admitted free.
Carols by Candlelight at Harrington
December 17
A community event of Christmas spirit. Come along and enjoy the atmosphere while you sing along to the family favourites.
Carols by Candlelight at Old Bar
December 17
You're invited to Christmas Carols by Candlelight in Old Bar Park from 4.30pm. Bring a picnic rug or chair and join in on the festivities.
Gloucester Carols by Candlelight
December 17
Join us for Carols by Candlelight at the Gloucester Showground. A barbecue will be available from 6.30pm, with the program to start at 7.30pm. Candles and bangles for sale. Sponsored by Gloucester Combined Churches.
River Walk Art Project unveiling
December 18
Join some of the artists and Dundaloo Support Services for the unveiling of a permanent installation of 327 works of art created by people living with disabilities to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Fifteen panels are being installed along a blank brick wall in Queen Elizabeth Park, Taree. The unveiling takes place at 10.30am and everyone is invited.
Carols in the Paddock
December 20
Krambach Christmas Carols in the Paddock, The Bucketts Way, Krambach, from 7pm.
Cars and Coffee
December 31
It's time to set the date for the next Hallidays Point Cars and Coffee. Don't forget, this is a monthly event held on the last Sunday of each month. So once again shine up those cars and bikes, all are welcome. Again we will have a trophy and voucher for best in show, voucher for runner-up. A trophy for best bike also will be presented. Great food and coffee on-site.
New Year's Eve fireworks at Taree
December 31
Ring in the new year with family and friends on the foreshore of the Manning River at Taree. The fireworks display will begin at 9pm, launched from a barge located opposite Queen Elizabeth Park. There are plenty of vantage points from both sides of the river.
New Year's Eve fireworks at Forster-Tuncurry
December 31
Ring in the new year with family and friends on the foreshore of Wallis Lake with the fireworks display from 9pm. Fireworks will launch to the south of the bridge. There are plenty of vantage points from both Tuncurry and Forster - John Wright Park, John Holland Park, Gregory Reserve, Lone Pine Park, Forster waterside.
New Year's Eve celebrations at Gloucester
December 31
New Year's Eve twilight market stalls, community festival and fireworks! Come along to Gloucester Recreation Centre and enjoy live entertainment from INXS tribute band, market stalls, free kids' amusements, party pavilion, mega raffle, food and drink options and best of all... fireworks starting at 10pm. All proudly brought to you by Gloucester Business Chamber.
John Gollan Day Festival and Fireworks
January 1-2
The much-loved coastal town of Harrington once again hosts fireworks on the night of January 1 from the breakwall at 9pm, a spectacular event not to be missed. There's live music, food stalls, sideshow and carnival rides from 8am, firework at 9pm and an historical photo exhibition. On January 2 you can visit the photo exhibition, sideshow and carnival rides until 7pm. This event is presented by Harrington and Surrounds Business and Community Association and is free entry for all to enjoy. For more information, visit www.harringtonandsurrounds.com.au
Summertime Rodeo
January 6
Wingham's Summertime Rodeo will be held at the Wingham Showground and will feature all of the action and excitement the event has become known for - the bull ride, the saddle brocs, bareback, ladies barrels, kids barrels, mini bulls, steer wresting, roping and tying. There will be food and drink available, plus a licensed bar until 11pm, amusements, rides and stalls. Be early, gates close when the rodeo arena is full.
Manning Go Kart Club
January 13
Manning Go Kart Club will try something different to start the 2024 racing season. The club will conduct a night practice session/family fun movie night on Saturday, January 13 at the Wingham track. "We'll incorporate a car show and twilight markets,'' club president Jamie Coles said.
Toni Bell
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
