An urge to recapture the spirit of Christmas was the motivation for Tammy Sloan to dig out the fairy lights and join the Fraser Coast Christmas Lights Trail last year.

“Our kids are getting older, and I started to feel the Christmas magic disappear,” she said.

“I hoped decorating the house would help rekindle the magic.”

And it did.

The Sloan family of Hervey Bay were one of a few first timers to light up and put their house on the Christmas Lights Trail map last year – and they’re back this year.

“We started small with a few lights, a Christmas dragon and a few moving reindeer,” she said.

The Christmas spirit did spread and by the time Christmas rocked around everyone in Gallery Drive had joined in – in some way.

“I was amazed at how many people stopped,” she said.

“They got out of their cars and come over to have a look.

“I dressed up as Mrs Claus and handed out reindeer food to kids (packets of rolled oats and glitter) to spread on their lawns so Santa would know where to come.”

She was occasionally joined by her son Riley who would dress as an elf, and occasionally some of the family (minus Mr Claus who was always busy in the kitchen testing eggnog) would stand in the park across the road to watch visitors enjoy the lights.

“This year we will be back; bigger,” she said.

“We’ve got more lights, more reindeer and an inflatable screen to show Christmas carols and a snow machine to create a winter wonderland.”

Given enough time her enthusiasm might rub off on the rest of the street and they will challenge for the Christmas Street title.

Fraser Coast residents planning to light up their homes for Christmas are encouraged to let Council know so their display can be part of the Light Up the Fraser Coast Trail.

“More than 135 families put their Christmas light displays on the map in 2021 so people could drive past and enjoy the display,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“So, if you are decorating, we’d love to hear from you.”

To be a part of the Light Up the Fraser Coast Trail, fill in the online nomination form that will be available on the Council website www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/festive from October 19.

Residents can also ring Council on 1300 79 49 29 to ask a Customer Service Officer to help them fill in the online form.

Residents can also get together to have a go at taking out the coveted Christmas Street Award.

You need a minimum of three houses to nominate for the street award.

The winning street is presented with the ‘Christmas Street’ sign to be displayed under their street sign for the next year.

Council will join in the festive fun and decorate giant Christmas trees in front of the Maryborough City Hall and at City Park, beside the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery in Hervey Bay.

Nominations for the Light Up the Fraser Coast Trail, and for Christmas Street, close at 5pm on Monday, November 21 to give Council time to create the maps so they are available from early December.

The maps, and a list of festive activities from across the region, will be available from the Council website in early December.

Article and photo supplied by Fraser Coast Regional Council