Lions Christmas Twilight Fair brings season early to town

SANTA Claus made an early trip to Hawks Nest for the Tea Gardens Lions’ Christmas Twilight Fair, which was held on Friday 5 December and included community groups from across the area.   

The man in red was there to add to his wishlists and make sure kids were nice, not naughty.

All were keen for a photo with Santa, who surveyed all from a sleigh supplied by the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Men’s Shed.

There were a plethora of other activities for young and old throughout the evening.

The kids’ area was a huge success, taking up one half of the community hall and featuring a sand bar, clay modelling, 3D sponge painting, and a balloon twister for good measure.

Face painting made a triumphant return, employing the talents of local artists Vivienne Boyd and Suzanne Bailey, while handicrafts stalls were set-up inside and outside.

The park next to Hawks Nest Community Hall was awash with Christmas gift ideas, from Damo’s enormous fishing equipment, to Andy’s spices, and even more for the kids – all screen-free.

Prizes were won by those skilled in quoits and flick-a-frog.

The main hall decorations were the brainchild of Lion Linda Henry, who did a superb job supplying and arranging the Christmas tree and decorations, assisted by Lion Carole Richards, and a force of Lions volunteers.

Outside in the sunset’s golden light, the Myall Melodians serenaded everyone with festive carols from 6.30pm, signalling the dawn of the season and the end of the night for some.

The evening was not without its concerns, however, as the dark, grey spectre of the Bulahdelah bushfires loomed from the northern horizon.

“We had several stalls forced to pull out due to the fires, mainly [because of] the Pacific Highway being cut off to traffic in both directions,” Tea Gardens Lions President Amanda Sykes told News Of The Area.

“So, we were down to 13 outside and nine inside, but that meant that some stalls were able to spread out.”

Tea Gardens Red Cross members had their dependable baked goods ready to fly off the tables, and the famous Lions Christmas Cakes and puddings sold out, but can still be found at BT’s in Tea Gardens, as well as newsagencies in Hawks Nest and Karuah.

“A big thanks to Jeanette Hart for producing our corflute signs in record time, and Myall Lakes Butchery who provided the steak for steak sandwiches, which sold out in record time…  and the Melodions of course for their carols.”

For those who missed Santa, he can still be contacted, for free, via the solitary payphone at the Hawks Nest park.

By Thomas O’KEEFE