Local businesses rewarded for bringing Christmas cheer to Wagga Wagga

Christmas has come early for the winners of Wagga Wagga City Council’s inaugural Christmas store display competition.

Four local businesses will share in $8000 in cash prizes as part of a new Council initiative to create a festive atmosphere in stores and encourage people to shop locally.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM, local businesswoman Caroline Candusso and Miss Wagga Wagga Stina Constantine judged the entries on Wednesday afternoon, with the prizes going to:

• Best Store & Window Display ($3000) – Lilly of the Valley
• Festive Experience ($2500) – My Shed
• People’s Choice ($1500) – Loot Country Wares
• A Wagga Christmas ($1000) – Wagga Restoration Centre

“Congratulations to the winning businesses, who have brought the joy and excitement of Christmas into their stores for their customers,” Cr Conkey said.

“The aim of Council’s new competition was to encourage people to shop locally and not online by creating a unique, festive experience that customers are willing to share with their friends online.

“The competition was held on Instagram to encourage businesses to use social media to promote their bricks-and-mortar business and attract Christmas shoppers to their stores.”

Council has also partnered with local businesses as part of a 12 Days of Wagga Christmas digital advent calendar at visitwagga.com/christmas. Sixteen Wagga Tourism Partner businesses are offering new offers each day in the lead up to Christmas as part of the online promotion.

Along with the online initiatives, Council switched on its new light display on Wednesday night. Following on from the successful lighting of the tree in the Victory Memorial Gardens for Christmas 2017, this year Council has installed 200m of fairy lights and 150m of icicle lights at all five pedestrian crossings on Baylis Street.

Like the tree in the Victory Memorial Garden, the lights in the CBD will be used year-round from dusk to early morning.