Karuah shines brightly over Christmas and New Year’s Highlight Section Myall Coast Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - January 10, 2024 The second-place winner, on Alice Street, had a big and beautiful display. WINNERS in Karuah’s fabulous Christmas 2023 Lights and Pallet Tree competitions have been announced, with some stunning entries making it a very difficult process indeed. “Over 200 voting entries were received in 2023, making it the highest-engaged vote to date,” Karuah Progress Association (KPA) President Breanna Landwehr told NOTA. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “Participants were rated on a scale of one to ten (ten being highest), with total points counted, and we can now announce the residence and business winners!” Competition was delightfully intense, as several residences pulled out all the stops to produce a lit-up wonderland of festive lights and figures to decorate the town on its namesake river. Some locals decorated both their front and back yards, and even erected indoor tableaux of Santa’s visit that could be seen through the windows. First Place Residence went to 78 Peachey Circuit with 759 points, followed by Second Place to 18 Alice Street (580 points), and Third Place/‘Most Creative’ going to 61 Peachey Circuit with 440 points. ‘Best Business’ seemed to be a hands-down victory to Daily Dose, with 1053 points counted. The Pallet Tree competition was also won by Daily Dose, while 61 Peachey Circuit and 40 Alice Street respectively took out second and third places. “The lights were unbelievable in our street, Santa even set up one of his sleighs to pose for photos with the kids,” Marion Brown, from the KPA, told NOTA. “We also had two new prizes come in after our last meeting, and it has been proposed that they be allocated to some of the runners-up.” By Thomas O’KEEFE Some Aussie-themed displays included a Ned Kelly Santa – perhaps stealing the toys? The details on some were marvellous, like the elf and Grinch, as well as intricate indoor displays. Sculptures of reindeer and the sleigh were brought out for plenty of photo ops. Santa dropped in to talk to the kids and enjoy Karuah’s lights, too.
