Team playersspread thecheer in city

Festive cheer will fill the Busselton CBD on tonight as Christmas takes over the city.

A special Christmas in the City event is being held to spread the holiday spirit and encourage the community to shop locally this festive season.

Stores will be open later, food vans will roll in, and music will fill the air in Fig Tree Lane and Queen and Prince streets.

Christmas in the City is the first activation event from the newly formed Busselton Town Team.

The team is made up of City staff and councillors, city centre business owners, and community members, who are working together to create positive change in the community through community-led actions.

The group formed as a result of the City’s Place Project held earlier this year.

At the Place Project workshops, ideas were generated by the community about how to stimulate the CBD and get Busselton bustling.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said it was a wonderful time of year for the community to come together and celebrate.

“It’s inspiring to see that the Busselton community have embraced the Town Team concept and are coming together to action positive change,” he said.

“The sleighs, crafted by the Busselton and Dunsborough Men’s Sheds, are a fun addition to the city centres and it’s great to see the community enjoying them.”

A highlight of Christmas in the City will be the unveiling of Santa’s Sleigh.

The sleigh will sit at the Prince Street end of Fig Tree Lane during the Christmas period for families to enjoy.

But what’s a sleigh without Santa Claus?

No need to worry — the man himself will make an appearance at Christmas in the City, and there will be games, prizes and giveaways for everyone to enjoy.

Present shopping will be made easy, with free gift wrapping available, and shoppers will be entertained by community choirs.

Dunsborough will also enjoy some Christmas cheer in Lions Park this Sunday, from 10am until midday.

There will be a Father Christmas appearance, relaxing live Christmas music, free gift-wrapping and giveaways for the kids. Christmas in the City, Busselton, will be held on Thursday, December 19, from 4pm-6pm.

A community Christmas tree in Mitchell Park will also make its debut as part of the event.