• PHOTO: Santa, elves and walking gifts check out the stalls at the 2021 Festive Night in Gulargambone.
CHRISTMAS is Nic Morris’ favourite time of year, so she’s inviting the whole community of Gulargambone to come along and join in the fun.
Nic owns and operates the Two Eight Two Eight cafe and is working to make sure the iconic location is ready for the festivities on the evening of Thursday 8 December.
“I’m a bit of a Christmas freak,” Mrs Morris said.
“I love the carols and everyone coming together.”
“We ran a Festive Night for the first time last year,” Mrs Morris said.
“We had a hummungous thunderstorm, lost power, it was crazy but it still went okay, so we’re hoping this year will be even better.”
Nic has invited other local businesses and visiting stallholders to add to the spirit of the occasion and has nabbed Manaka’s Kitchen from Coonamble to dish up a feast of her famous Indian food.
“Everyone’s been raving about Manaka’s food so I’m really excited,” said Nic.
“I’ll be doing desserts. I’m hoping to do cheescakes, rich chocolate tart and pannacotta.”
For those with simpler tastes the Gular Lions Club will be on site with buckets of hot chips.
Local businesses have stepped up in support with Memories & Mayhem and the Gulargambone Rural Transaction Centre running stalls and the Gulargambone Hotel ready to keep everyone hydrated.
The cafe courtyard and green terraced spaces towards the Gulargambone Creek will be dressed to impress with fairy and Christmas lights.
“We also have a big Christmas tree to pick up from Coonamble Shire Council,” Nic said.
“The courtyard will be for eating and chilling and the markets will be in the mid section behind the building.”
“We’ve got a real variety of stalls with Hides by M&M, Rosanne Stanford’s original local artwork, a new business that’s just started in town, jewellery, homewares, jams and chutneys, handcrafted items and toys.”
“We’ve got a couple of stalls so far from Coonamble and Gilgandra so we’re sharing the love,” she said.
Santa will also be arriving to say hello and have his photo taken with children of all ages.
Mrs Morris says she believes bringing businesses and residents together is a good thing to do right now.
“It’s been really quiet lately, the last month has been ridiculous,” she said.
“The tourists have disappeared and there’s no harvest yet so I’m hoping for a bit more activity for the businesses’ sake.”
“I just hope people come, have a nice meal, sit in the courtyard, catch up with some friends and buy some wares,” Nic said.