The carnival’s back again at Jubilee Park (‘Plastic Park’) on Saturday, December 10 from 11am to 2.30pm, featuring all the regular attractions plus a special surprise for those that come along on the day.

Chief elf Ken Poulson said this was the second year the carnival has been held in Jubilee Park, with more room to spread around the cheer and the fenced play area adding another attraction and activity for the kids.

Santa will be swinging by from noon until 1pm, with gift bags and icypoles for those who have been good. The bags will also include giveaways from the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service, which is also the happy recipient of proceeds from the day as it has been the past few years.

Santa has a new throne this year, with a chair recommissioned and refurbished thanks to the efforts of Pam Hartfield and Annette Willcocks. Hopefully he’ll settle in well to hear the Christmas wishes of all his visitors.

While you can pack a picnic lunch, you can also give yourself a break and have a barbecue lunch by patronising either the Lions or Rotary barbecues. Lions will also have its donut van pumping out fresh donuts, for those wishing to finish on a sweet note.

Tea, coffee and other beverages will also be available.

There will be lots happening to keep everyone entertained, with local physical culture clubs putting on displays, and festive music to keep everyone in the Christmas spirit.

There’s a choice of two jumping castles, a large one coming from Warwick and Lions is borrowing back for the day the smaller jumping castle it gifted to the Salvos, to give the littler jumpers a cosier experience.

Children can also explore their inner artist at craft tables operating throughout the carnival.

For the big kids, the traditional so-called chocolate wheel will be spinning, although there’s no chocolate involved. The wheel will turn each time the 100 $2 tickets are sold, giving ticketholders the chance to win a ham as first prize, or a Lions Christmas Cake as second prize.

Tickets in the hamper raffle are $1 each, with first prize a Gro-Kart full of groceries worth $300, second prize a Karcher pressure washer and third prize a travelling suitcase, and the winners are drawn on the day.

While the carnival used to be an evening affair, too often it was interrupted by thunderstorms so the midday time slot hopes to avoid that issue. Otherwise it will be cosy in the bandstand.

“Bring a chair or picnic rug and come along and enjoy yourself,” Mr Poulsen said.