The lights on Geelong’s much-loved floating Christmas tree were switched on for the first time this holiday period at the weekend, kicking off the City of Greater Geelong’s Christmas festivities.
Mayor Stephanie Asher said visitors could now safely enjoy the sound and light show down at the Waterfront or watch it live from the comfort of their home each night.
“Everyone looks forward to the return of the tree to Geelong and we’re thrilled to help families enjoy free entertainment at this special time of year,” she said.
“After a tough year, it’s wonderful for our community to be coming out of lockdown and to see the tree illuminate the sky at our beautiful waterfront.”
For the first time, the tree was put together and tested in Steampacket Quay allowing visitors to see all the action up close.
Decorating the floating tree was not a simple task, and lighting experts from Geelong company Total Events spent the past week testing and programming the LED lights.
“For the last eight years the floating tree and light show has brought more visitors to the Waterfront and Central Geelong, and added excitement and variety to the city’s Christmas program,” Cr Asher said.
The tree will be powered up from 8:30pm to midnight each evening, with the six-minute sound and light show running every 15 minutes.
There are three different shows to enjoy, with the first running until November 30, the second until Christmas Day and the third until January 7.
The weekend also saw the turning on of the Catenary Star at the Moorabool-Malop street intersection.
Crews began installing the star on Wednesday night to minimise disruption at the busy intersection, before it was lit up on Saturday.
Around 90 banners and 150 stars will also start popping up across the region this week.
“Our Christmas program is designed to help locals and visitors to enjoy free holiday entertainment and provide a boost to local businesses,” Cr Asher said.
“For the first time, we’ve programmed the star to change colours along with the rest of the catenary lights to help bring more Christmas colour to central Geelong.”
The Catenary Star was designed and fabricated by Hanlon Industries in 2015.
Cr Asher said with Victorians forecast to spend $15.4 billion in the pre-Christmas sales period, the city’s Christmas program would bring visitors into the CBD and support local businesses.
“Boosting Geelong’s profile at Christmas has flow on benefits for the whole community,” she said.
“Prior to COVID-19, the city’s Christmas program generated an estimated $18.5 million in economic activity and attracted more than 330,000 visitors.”
Economic development portfolio chairman Cr Peter Murrihy said traders were also preparing for a bumper retail weekend for Black Friday from November 26.
“Retailers can make up to two-thirds of their profits for the year at Christmas so you just can’t underestimate the importance of Christmas sales,” Cr Murrihy said.
“Shoppers are looking to reward themselves and their families after a tough year and we want to help them enjoy free entertainment while supporting local jobs and businesses.”
