Christmas story a cut above

TOWNSVILLE will be transformed into the town of Bethlehem to retell the story of Christmas.

More than 40,000 people are expected at this year’s event where volunteers will dress up and re- enact the birth of Jesus.

Hospitality co- ordinator Cheryl Gosper said a team of volunteers yesterday cut up thousands of slices of Christmas cake.

“It’s our first evening of cutting. We hoped to cut up about 4000 pieces,” Mrs Gosper said.

She said more cakes donated by organisations and private donors would be sliced up next week, bringing the total to about 8000 slices.

Christmas cake along with tea and coffee will be handed out for free at the Stable on the Strand. Mrs Gosper said the main focus of the event would be the stable, with “a real- life baby Jesus”, telling the story of the Christmas origin.

“I think it brings back the real meaning of Christmas,” she said.

Stable on the Strand will be held at Strand Park on December 18- 22 from 5.30 to 9.30pm.