community events

Introducing “Pete on the Street”

Stable on the Streets introduces 2020 Mascot ‘Pete on the Street’!

Townsville’s Favourite Family Friendly Christmas Event, Stable on the Strand this year presents Stable on the Streets!

Stable on the Streets is an invitation for individuals, families, groups, churches, and sponsors to ‘Express Christmas’ in their driveway, shop front, car, veranda, street, etc.


Pete will be encouraging everyone to ‘Start with a Star’ for their decorations and the community will be invited to drive by. Townsville will come alive this Christmas as homes, businesses, and Churches present Christmas. There will be displays, banners, lights, and stars all over Townsville. Large spotlights will criss-cross the night sky as Townsville comes alive. Stable on the Strand will present 3 of its traditional Christmas story scenes at separate spots across the city. Carollers will sing in the streets! Empty shop fronts will be lit up!

Food carts will be available for those hungry children! The public will be invited to a Stable on the Strand ‘drive-by’ experience following our Discovery trails and joining in the massive scavenger hunt full of interactive and fun activities, especially for families.

Stable on the Strand organizer, Anne Harley said, “Although we are disappointed at not being able to bring Stable on the Strand to Townsville this year, we are excited that, ‘Stable on the Streets’ is bringing new and creative ideas. ‘Pete on the Street’ is one of these ideas. Pete will be front and center in our promotion of Stable on the Streets.”

Stable on the Streets will run from 18th – 22nd December and is a free event. 6:00-9:00 p.m. each night

For more information, you can visit- www.stableonthestrand.com.au or their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stableonthestrand

 

Don’t Let Your Kids Miss This at Stable on the Strand this Year

Stable On the Strand is less than two weeks away and this year for the first time they are introducing – Bethlehem Barnyard Babies – a petting zoo! With such a warm and welcoming variety of animals at Stable and the significant Christmas Story, The Town of Bethlehem is a treasured event that attracts 40,000 visitors. 

Town of Bethlehem Coordinator Robyn Frewen-Lord says Stable is ideal for families.

“At every turn there is an interactive opportunity to transport the child back to the Holy land 2000 years ago. Dressing up as a Roman soldier, being taught spear and marching skills to be presented to King Herod; joining the shepherds, clothed as they are, on a search through the town until they find the baby in the manger and kneel before him; dancing with the guests at the wedding,” Robyn says.

But with all the costumes and activities, there is one very special part Robyn identifies as the absolute don’t miss:

‘Mary Joseph and baby Jesus in the Stable with the donkey standing by, sheep on the hill behind, a star above and heavenly voices singing ‘Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm…”‘

 

The Most Powerful Story Needs Help to Be Told

It’s arguably the most powerful love story ever been told. But, it needs help to continue to be told in Townsville.

“This isn’t a baby in a manger. It’s the life changer – this baby could change life,” says Morag Roy Volunteer Coordinator for Stable on the Strand.

Morag says with so much emphasis on buying, Father Christmas, elves, snow and reindeers, the true meaning and message of Christmas is needed.

“We have a very serious need for volunteers,” she says.

Around 1000 volunteers are needed each year to make it happen and there is a multitude of roles to choose from.

  • Town of Bethlehem actors and characters (speaking and non-speaking roles),
  • People to serve tea & coffee in the Hospitality area
  • Bump in & bump out (set up and pack down) requires construction workers and leaders
  • Festival performers
  • Flash-mob volunteers
  • Greeters
  • People to distribute our free Stable Bibles
  • Prayer and pastoral carers
  • Qualified first-aiders
  • Caretakers of the grounds

shephers

Morag says, “[Most volunteers] are not event managers or construction people, they aren’t ‘professionally’ qualified for what they are doing – but they come and give of their gifts and talents – there is a real element of love.”

Stable celebrates its 15th anniversary this year so please invest your talents and time into helping Townsville hear the truth about Jesus.

Visit vrs.stableonthestrand.com.au to view all the roles and sign up asap. The event runs from 18th to 22nd December.

 For more info on volunteering contact Morag Roy on 0414 561 256
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Luxlumin: Artistically Displaying City’s Stories & History

Through artistic expression and creative storytelling, artists from Townsville and the surrounding region have been selected to share the history and stories of some of Townsville’s sites at this years Luxlumin event held in the city which will celebrate Townsville’s 150 years.  

But before any artists were chosen to create scenes and tell stories, event Curator Michelle Hall from La Luna Youth Arts was busy visiting sites around the city, researching and studying their history. She says she “chose buildings that had interesting stories to tell.”

Following this she searched the skillsets of local artists and matched their skills to the storytelling of the buildings. The artists then had a chance to communicate the story with their unique artistic approach and own research.

Michelle’s aim was to capture the city’s history through the lens of “art, light and film” and to share stories of the past.

“This event has a public interest purpose. People will be able to learn about the history of buildings and sites in a really exciting and fun way!”

With so much excitement and anticipation leading up to the event, the city is about to look incredibly different and Michelle is excited that “people will be able to experience the city in a new way.”

The display will include sculpture, dances, live performance, theatre, music and moving images. So expect to see some creative costumes and sets!

Out the back of Federation Place will also be food trucks and a karaoke machine!

Event Details:

Starting Location: Old Magistrates Court, The City (Information desk to pick up maps & book tours, tours are optional).

Time: 6.30pm-10pm

Date: 30 September, 1 & 2 October 2016

Duration: Trip expected to take 1.5hours (walk-through tour no driving, please follow traffic rules)

Photographs can also be taken on the night and you can follow Luxlumin on Instagram “Luxlumin2016”.  So come see the lighting up of the Townsville City through an artwork gallery display!

Please click here  to see their website.