CHRISTMAS on Fitzgerald, which was held last Saturday, has been deemed a success.
Northam Chamber of Commerce vice president and Northam Women in Business public relations officer Leonie Knipe said it was unlike anything seen before in Northam.
“It was a demonstration of how different organisations can work together,” she said.
“The response from customers has been positive, so we thank the town’s people on behalf of businesses.”
Mrs Knipe said some stores had three to four days’ worth of trade in one day, with restaurants also selling out of food.
She said next year the street festival may not extend so long into the afternoon due to the heat, and also predicted that more businesses would come on board.
“We will begin planning next year’s event in March,” she said.
During the day, the Northam Chamber of Commerce gave away eight $1000 vouchers to people who shopped locally.
RadioWest announced the winners live on Saturday, with Shannon Abbott from Goomalling, Leonie Vaughan, Nel Vonk, Marie Moore, Maxine Cook, Delweena Ashwin, Vicki Leeson and Carol Rogers, the lucky recipients.
They were given their cheque on Monday at the Commonwealth Bank.
Also part of Christmas on Fitzgerald was a Christmas light show projected onto the Westpac and Commonwealth banks.
The show was designed by VJ Zoo.
The company create a 3D map of a structure and then set about constructing images around a building’s design.
Shire of Northam executive manager community services Ross Rayson said the company visited Northam three times to test the display before the big reveal last Saturday night.
“The lights were a big hit and the whole Christmas on Fitzgerald concept is something we can build on in future years,” he said.
“Hopefully it will happen again next year.”
If you missed the Fitzgerald Street Christmas lights display, no need to worry.
Mr Rayson said the lights will be on up to and including Christmas Day from 7-10pm.
Reflecting on the weekend, Northam Shire president Steven Pollard also thought the weekend went very well.
“Some of the businesses went better than others in terms of getting some trade,” he said.
“The overall feedback was that it was well worth doing, and with refinement next year it could be even better.”
Cr Pollard said refinement could include enhancing timetable information to the public such as the time when the Christmas lights would be turned on.
“The better you have a timetable the more people can pick and choose what they would like to see,” he said.
Running at the same time was the Northam Christmas Carols at the Northam Recreation Centre, creating a conflict of events.
The Christmas Carols had locked in their date of December 12, with the Christmas on Fitzgerald event originally planned to run on the Friday.
It was then decided Saturday would be better for the street event.
Once it was realised a conflict existed with the Christmas Carols, it became too difficult for either to change.
It is hoped the Christmas Carols will be in the same location as the Christmas lights next year.
