Parkes has had a unique place among country centres for more than a couple of decades.
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We have always held a Christmas parade - every year.
No other centre does it - it is something very special to us.
And I have always been very proud of that fact....that no matter what, the Christmas parade goes on.
Admittedly, it might look a bit tired from time to time, but it still goes ahead.
And a parade is a parade after all. Everyone loves a parade - and involving the kids is fantastic and something they all enjoy.
Agreed we also have another big parade within a few weeks for the Elvis Festival, but that is put on for all the visitors as well.
Our Christmas parade is for us - to launch the festival season in the town.
I remember many, many years ago the parade was encouraged by the Chamber of Commerce as a way of enticing people to town for the day and then stay around for late night shopping after it was over.
The day included other promotions as well, with Christmas trees and stalls out the front of businesses.
Times change, I know, and this does not happen now.
But the decision not to hold a Christmas parade this year disappoints me.
It appears to some that the parade is nothing special anymore, just a token event, that it is on the wrong night of the week, there is no-one around who will organise it, that we need to try something else.
Definitely getting someone to organise it is the big problem.
Fair enough.
But I love a parade - whether watching it, photographing it, or taking part in it.
I see the look of delight on the faces of kids and adults alike.
It might need a re-think as to how it is organised and conducted, but I have no doubt it can be achieved.
Anyway, for this year, we will be holding a market day and film night.
It has been suggested the parade might only be missing from this year, while something else is trialed.
And that it might return next year.
Certainly it will be interesting to see how it all goes.
Following are some of the thoughts which were expressed on our facebook page about no parade...
“How in the hell can they do this! I have sooooo many happy memories of the Christmas parade as a child and my children enjoy it each year! As a child it was only held a week or so before Christmas when everyone was in the Christmas spirit BUT in recent years it has been held the first week of December which was just way too early. The Christmas parade and Apex carnival should always only be for the kids and community.”
“Who let the Grinch join the Chamber of Commerce?"
“I think it is stupid it has been cancelled, alot of people come to see the parade and bring money to business.”
“They’re taking the Christ out of Christmas.”
“Why not have a small parade leading to the carnival/movie night. Everyone can end up at Cooke park for the carnival followed by a movie.”
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On the subject of entertainment, the fireworks display at this year’s Parkes Show was absolutely fantastic.
(Another long held tradition for Parkes which just gets better and better!).
It is always the highlight of the show for me and Tuesday night was described by the crowd as ‘awesome’ and I couldn’t agree more.
They say everything goes in circles and the annual show is another example.
We have received a new lease through our grandchildren.
They had a ball, and watching their pleasure was a big thrill.
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Meanwhile, the annual half day holiday for the Parkes Show always encourages plenty of discussion at the shire council when the applicaton to have it gazetted comes up.
There was a time when we used to get two half day public holidays - on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Now it is just Tuesday, but it is not always supported, claiming the cost to business (penalty rates if staff work and loss of income) is not fair.
So it was with great interest I noticed that Forbes Show was not allocated a half day public holiday for their annual show.
Under the Public Holidays Act 2010, the Forbes Show half day on Friday, September 5, has been gazetted as a Local Event Day which carries different consequences for businesses.
Unlike a Public Holiday, the Local Event Day still marks a day as significant for the region without the financial burden to local businesses by having to close for half a day or pay penalty rates for employees who are required to work the half day.
It has been explained as thus:
“A local event day is considered a public holiday for those employees who have agreed to observe the day in their relevant industrial agreement, and a local event day also allows employers, who aren’t bound to observe the day, to choose if they wish to participate or not.”
The show only comes around once a year - I believe local businesses should be encouraged to support it, rather than find whatever loophole they can to get out of it.
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I received an email this week, a blast from the past, asking about whether a 50 year reunion was being planned for Parkes High School students.
The sender will be well remembered by many locals...
“Hi, I completed my education at Parkes High in 1964- 50 years ago. Is there a reunion planned or already been held?”
- Kerry Wilsmore.
Anyone who can help out can contact Kerry (I certainly remember him) or us here at the Champion Post.
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And finally, council will be discussing one of its most contentious issues in years next Tuesday when it looks at whether two blocks should be demolished to make way for a car park in front of Coles.
We have an interesting story on the project from the developer in Monday’s edition.
It gives a different perspective to what most residents believe should happen. It’s a great read.
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
‘Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.’