The beloved Gerringong Christmas Parade has been a highlight on the community calendar for over 30 years, but now a new organiser is needed to keep the tradition alive.

The Parade has been organised by a group of four local women for the past four years, after the baton was passed on by Gerringong Rotary who ran the event for many years.

Julia O’Keefe, one of the organisers, says any local or community group who love Christmas and want to continue the tradition should take over the reins.

“It has been really rewarding,” Julia says.

“​​It’s a big part of Gerringong. Everyone seems to have been involved with it in someway - or their kids or grandparents have.”

Organisers Hayley Alchin, Emily Vaughan, Liz Atkins and Julia O’Keefe with their families

According to Julia, only a small group of people are needed to organise the annual event.

“We all have full time jobs and it is just something we do on the side, so it doesn’t take a lot of time, only in the weeks leading up to it,” she says.

“Most of it is organising traffic logistics and the road closures on the day, contacting participants, getting floats for the parade, and trying to get grants and sponsorships. Then running the parade on the day.

“Obviously some organisation is required in those up and coming months to make sure you’ve got people involved, and council and police on board.”

The Parade traditionally features floats by service and sporting clubs, community groups and local businesses down the main strip of Gerringong on Fern St and is one of the busiest days for the town attracting a crowd of up to 5,000 people.

A highlight for Julia is watching community groups who haven’t participated before start to join in on the day and seeing the kids enjoy the parade.

“It has been a longstanding tradition that would be really sad for it to not continue,” Julia says.

If interested, email [email protected]