Spirit of Christmas on Strand
SENIORS will get the first glimpse of Stable on the Strand as the event opens for a special preview night.
Organiser Richard Hosking said aged care homes and some disability groups were invited to join in the spirit of Christmas on December 17.
Sixty- five churches are involved in the free annual event that brings Bethlehem to the Strand.
“People will find the wise men looking for the star, they’ll find baby Jesus, they’ll find the shepherd and their sheep,” Mr Hosking said.
“It’s all done with live actors in costume and our guests interact with them.”
This year Stable on the Strand will feature a special guest performance from Tony Dee, a Brisbane singer who has spina bifida and performs from a wheelchair.
Dee sang Yes I Can in the Paralympics advertisement that went viral online last year.
He will perform every night, from December 17 to 22.
Last year Stable on the Strand attracted 38,500 visitors and Mr Hosking hopes for 40,000 in 2017.
Up to 1000 volunteers will organise, set the stage, man the tea stall and act.
“On a full night we have two two- hour shifts for actors, so in total we need 11 Mary, Josephs and baby Jesus’,” Mr Hosking said.
Bethany and Dennis Cole from West End may play the parts of Mary and Jesus following the birth of their first child Michael in April.
Ms Cole said she first got involved with Stable on the Strand six years ago, through her volunteer work with Youth With A Mission ( YWAM).
“I’m very excited to be part of Stable this year, I love the community feel that happens,” she said.
“I’m excited to take Michael. Everyone comes together to celebrate Christmas.”
Ms Cole has previously vol- unteered at the event in various roles, such as a singer with the angel choir and working on children’s activities.
Mr Hosking has been involved with Stable on the Strand since its origins in 1999.
Then, two or three churches were involved and it was held at the Mount Louisa House of Praise on Bayswater Rd.
“It gradually grew larger and in 2001, the council invited us to take the Stable to the Strand,” he said.
Stable on the Strand is still looking for volunteers this Christmas.
Mr Hosking said it was a “pleasure and a privilege” to be involved in the festive event.
“I love the fact that it’s a free event for everybody. It’s just amazing, people are blown away by what they see and what they feel and they hear,” he said.
“It’s a good start for Christmas – people feel the joy of Christmas.”
Stable on the Strand is open to the public on December 18- 22 from 5.30- 9.30pm.