Georges River Council has approved a program of COVID-19-safe community events for 2021/22.
This follows the success of the council's first COVID-safe program launched last year in the wake of the pandemic.
Scalable events have become the new normal, meaning the size of the events will be able to be revised according to Public Health Orders.
The program includes:
November 2021 - "Mobile Musos" with local artists to perform live music in town squares across the local government area. Performances will be scheduled on the weekend, weekdays at lunch time or in the evenings.
December 2021 - Christmas in Georges River. This will include Christmas decorations throughout town centres throughout the LGA.
The annual Christmas Lights Competition will not be held due to low participation in last year's competition.
Instead, funding will be reallocated to improve the quality and distribution of Christmas decorations in town centres across the LGA .
Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings over the next few months, the Magic of Christmas event will not proceed.
Instead, there will be a drive-in Christmas Carols event at Carss Park.
Local community groups and entertainers will deliver a Christmas stage show that the public will be able to view from the safety of their vehicles.
The council is also seeking a partnership with the NSW Department of Education to install an ice-skating rink in a local school over the Christmas period.
January 2022 - Australia Day Awards Ceremony and Citizenship Ceremony will be held again at the Marana Auditorium.
February 2022 - "In Good Taste" food festival. Little Lunar 2022 will be the flagship event during the month of "In Good Taste". The event will be hosted in the Hurstville Plaza, encouraging local business and cultural performances.
April 2022 - Youth Month will see a program of interactive and accessible events across the LGA aimed at engaging local youth.
Following on from the success of the 2021 "It's a Mood" program, events will include an Esports tournament, a pop-up skate park, online training courses focusing on life skills such as resume writing and preparing to join the workforce, and an intergenerational chess competition.
June 2022 - "Un[contained]". The three-day art festival is expected to grow after the success of the 2021 event which attracted over 26,000 people.
The event will again transform Belgrave Street, Kogarah into an interactive art walk, showcasing both international and local artists.
Local business and food vendors will be engaged, boosting the local economy, and encouraging people to explore and enjoy the Kogarah town centre. "Un[contained]" is tentatively scheduled to occur on 24-26 June 2022.
