WE’RE GONNA PARTY, FIESTA!!!

Despite the miserable weather for the annual Coolum Fiesta on Saturday 4^thDecember, a myriad of littlies were abeam with smiles when they saw Santa make a spectacular landing in Tickle Park on board the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter.  The Lions Club still fired up the BBQ on the Esplanade under a marquee and the aroma of sizzling sausages and onions was mouthwatering.  Our friends at Raw Energy had a bit of fun with a fruit salad eating competition, no hands if you please,  with some healthy prizes up for grabs.  Others  however indulged in the celebratory anniversary cake courtesy of Dough Fusion.

Lyndon Davis welcomed the small crowd with his family’s traditional storytelling and didgeridoo playing.  Roving entertainment continued with face painting, Harriet the Fairy and  Elfoil the stiltwalker braving the elements, whilst under cover well known local band “Greenroom” put on a great performance, their music attracting a growing audience.  They were followed by “Shades of Red”,  “Cool Harmonies” choir performing a mixture from their popular repertoire featuring a number of south African harmonies and finally the junior Coolum Primary School singers, all colourfully dressed with Christmas hats and reindeer ears, singing those well loved, traditional Christmas carols.  Oh what fun it was to join in too!

Another highlight of the afternoon was the roaring arrival of the Ulysses bike members over the crest of the hill into Coolum with their bikes and riders decked in Christmas trimmings.  They were collecting toys and non-perishable foods for their Toy & Tucker Run from Noosa to Ettamogah the next day, and alas they were in for more gruelling wet weather.

The Coolum Christmas Charity trees looked amazing, so beautifully decorated and themed for the RSPCA, Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer and Coolum Surf Life Saving.  A total of $2,090 was raised for these charities and Westpac’s bank manger Trent and Sierra Café’s Kristin presented the RSPCA’s Nicole and four legged friend with a huge cheque from a huge Coolum community effort.

But the most spectacular was at eventide when the rain held off in time for the countdown for Cr Vivien Griffin to flick the switch that would light up all the trees along the Esplanade.  WOW, the whole area looked amazing and everyone embraced the Christmas festive spirit.

Christmas might come but once a year, as does the Coolum Fiesta, but the camaraderie, joy and gift of giving that it generates in our community is to be applauded.  Bring it on in 2011!