Lighting Up the Tree
Published on 24 November 2022
Join us at the corner of Thames and Itchen Streets from 7pm on Friday 2 December to light up the Ōamaru Christmas Tree. Standing at 10 metres tall and with four thousand lights, it is sure to be a spectacle visible high up from Santa’s sleigh.
Waitaki Mayor, Gary Kircher said, “We cannot wait to light up the Oamaru tree for the 2022 festive season, with last year’s event being reduced to a small number of people and having it live streamed. We are all looking forward to celebrating this important part of the festive season in person, and I invite everyone to come and join us in front of the Council building for great entertainment and of course, the countdown to switching on the lights!”
With events due to kick off at 7pm, Legacy Youth will be running a sausage sizzle with proceeds to the Food Bank plus there will be a food and drink from the Fry Monger, Brews & Bites, and Real Fruit Ice Cream.
Festive music will be performed by Deluxe and face painting for the kids – plenty of family friendly entertainment before the lights turn on around 9.15pm.
Palmerston and Kurow will have matching trees at 4.5m high and two thousand lights a piece. Each tree is the classic “pinecone” shape and additional baubles have been ordered.
The Palmerston tree is due to be installed first on Monday 28 November, the Kurow Christmas tree will be up on Tuesday 29 November. Lastly, the Ōamaru tree’s installation is scheduled for Wednesday 30 November ahead of Friday’s events.
Gary Kircher continued, “So many in the Waitaki community, both young and old, really look forward to the installation of all three of our Christmas trees and get a kick out of seeing them lit up, and of course, to Santa’s visit. This is another excellent opportunity to get out of the house and celebrate together.”
A big thank you to our sponsors: The Lion Foundation, Ōamaru Licensing Trust, Network Waitaki and Toll. The Kurow Tree is also sponsored by River Café and the Palmerston Tree is also sponsored by Oceania Gold, Palmerston Lions Club and Skevingtons.
ENDS