With exactly a month to go before Santa arrives Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC) is preparing for the main street Christmas carnival; the perfect opportunity for a last minute present pick-up and the best part is it will support local businesses.

MPSC projects officer, Esther Chapman, said the carnival would be held on December 11.

“It will be the same format as last year with a few rides, face painting, a number of local stallholders and businesses staying open later along with a flow of local entertainment,” she said.

The town hall will be the main stage for all entertainment which will extend the carnival to the other end of Balo Street and along Heber Street.

“We are still finalising the entertainment so any local acts wanting to perform let us know, but at the moment we have solo acts as well as the town bands, ukulele group, physie and Out of Phase performing,” Mrs Chapman said.

There is also no limit to the amount of stallholders able to sell their products at the event.

“If businesses don’t have a shop down the CBD they can always put in a form with their public liability attached to council and have a stall… it’s a great opportunity to get your products out there,” she said.

Mrs Chapman said usually businesses have a special on during the evening, which sees a few extra Christmas bargains available. “Santa will come to see the children and there is also going to be great prizes for the best dressed girl, boy and family so if you want to get dressed up please do,” she said.

For businesses wanting to win something, now is the time to get those windows dressed up to add to the local Christmas spirit.

“The judging for business windows will start on December 8 and the judges will be driving around prior to that to see what businesses have dressed up their windows. A lot of the businesses recognised come from community members recommending the windows,” she said.

Mrs Chapman said along with the Moree Champion, The Border News had come on board to support the competition.

“That means your business will be advertised in The Border News as well, which reaches a wider audience,” she said.

For more information call the Moree Plains Shire Council on 6757 3222, visit their website  or turn to page one of today’s paper.