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.jpg "John Ellison and Bonnie Ross showing some juggling skills") It's nice to have something you can call your own. The Winter Magic Festival came about as a result of a meeting where business invited community to discuss ways of making Yulefest more relevant to local residents and increase their participation. The result was a completely new concept – Winter Magic. It is now in its 15th year and is managed in its entirety by the local community.
 John Ellison – the originator of Winter Magic in Katomba
Winter Magic is first and foremost a local festival but a very warm welcome is extended to visitors to join the celebration. At this time of year, mountain residents display their latest costume or their latent talent to an admiring crowd.
The Carrington Hotel houses the main performance space which makes it an easy walk up to the main house for refreshment or to meet friends. The refurbished Carrington is reason enough to visit Festival day.
Where did the Festival come from? Back in 1994 Katoomba small business was looking for ways of including local residents in its annual Yulefest celebrations. They invited the current Blue Mountains Council Cultural Development Officer, John Ellison, to discuss what might be done. While Yulefest is a wonderful event for visitors it doesn't really speak to the local community.
Tending fireplaces on wintry days and rugging up against the cold are a part of daily life for locals. John's suggestion was for a community festival called Winter Magic. The rest is NOT history. We are living it. From the toddlers dressed as fairies to kids as ogres to the long retired stamping along in the annual parade this is our festival. It is nice to have something you can call your own. |
