This year Central Park, Isabella and Bent Streets will be transformed into a more family oriented carnival atmosphere with the regular amusement rides coming to town to entertain the children.

“We are very pleased to be able to run this annual event again this year” said long time Carnival committee chairman, Grahame Nash. “It is a chance for families to spend time together in their town and to celebrate the festivities, whilst supporting their local sporting and community groups and charities. 

"The chamber has seen fit to tone down the carnival rides for the benefit of the U12 year old younger children who come out to see Santa”, he said. “The Chamber provides this amenity for local families and due to the uncontrollable antisocial behaviour of some of our youth, we have had no choice but to place restrictions on the carnival rides in order to provide a safe and congenial event for the majority’.

The pipe band will play at 6pm to be followed at 8pm with a visit by Santa.

 The usual street stalls will be present, with local community clubs providing food, chocolate wheels with many chances to win your Christmas ham. The finale will be the lucky draw at 8.30 where shoppers will have the chance to win $500 in shopping voucher prizes. During the lead up to the carnival, participating outlets will be giving away shopper dockets to customers to enter into the draw, so do your Christmas shopping in Wingham this season for your chance to win.

The bed races will run again and this year from 5:30pm, with businesses and community groups urged to put a team together and support this worthwhile community event. Part proceeds from the race will be donated to Rescue and Emergency services.

Police presence will again ensure a safe and enjoyable evening and parents are urged to ensure their children are fully supervised throughout the night.

Some of the local businesses will be open during the carnival for your chance to do a spot of late night Christmas shopping or just relax for a while with a coffee.

There will be no access by traffic into Bent Street between Isabella and Farquhar Streets after 4:30 pm, with road closures effective until the carnival finishes at 9.30 pm. All drivers are asked to remove their cars from Bent Street before 4pm to ensure safe conduct of the carnival.