A Recap of Last Year’s 2016 Bundaberg Bethlehem Live Event
This is the first blog article for our new website, so we thought we’d start by doing a recap of last years very successful Bundaberg Bethlehem Live event.
First and foremost we want to thank everyone that supported the event… especially all those who attended!! It would not have been a success without you!
BIG thank you too to everyone who co-organised the event, supported it, sponsored it and those who also provided their assistance and services leading up to, during and after the event. Your efforts, work, support and assistance were hugely appreciated! I don’t want to miss anyone out so I am hoping this covers everyone. THANK YOU AGAIN SO, SO MUCH!! 🙂
Below is a recap from last years event. I’ve kept it pretty short so hopefully you’ll find it to be a quick and enjoyable read. Please do also feel free to post comments at the bottom of this article too.
As mentioned above, Bethlehem Live 2016 was by all reports a huge success!
The inclusive, free community event ran for four nights from the 20th to 23rd of December and was successful in attracting people from right across our region. Our focus was on providing a very family friendly enjoyable and entertaining experience. It was also about offering hope to those doing it tough at Christmas time. We believe this was achieved through the positive Christmas message and connections made with our volunteers, participating support agencies, pastoral care and prayer teams throughout the event.
We engaged families and individuals with an interactive market place, photo booth, petting zoo, children’s activity, actors, drama, music and dance as we transported visitors back 2,000 years to an ancient Bethlehem City.  Patron numbers were in excess of 6,000 people over the four nights, which was extremely positive for our first year.
The event promoted visitor participation and created opportunity for people to connect with one another in a fun-filled and friendly atmosphere. Local support agencies from our community who were on site over the four nights reported very positive connections with the community through the event.
We had just over 450 enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to participate in Bethlehem Live 2017.
Great partnerships between all involved (committee, churches, businesses, volunteers, sponsors and support agencies) were strengthened, due to the common goal of providing our community with a free event which focused on connection and support. These partnerships developed further as we met, planned, trained and worked together. It was tremendous to witness such enthusiasm for the event and the sense of teamwork by all involved.
On behalf of the Bethlehem Live Committee, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to everyone who helped make this event the success that it was.
Below is a short video that was put together after last years event.
Thanks for reading this blog article. Hope you have a great day (or evening) if you are reading this at night. Seasons greetings! 🙂
Kind Regards,
Lisa Hardie
Bethlehem Live Event Director
Bethlehem Live Bundaberg 2016 on Vimeo.
Lisa Hardie
Along with Directing Bethlehem Live - Lisa Hardie works as the Field Development Manager for SU Qld managing the School Chaplaincy Service for the Bundaberg/Discovery Coast Regions. Lisa also works as an Associate Pastor with Coral Coral Coast Christian Church, Bargara. Lisa has worked in ministry roles for over 20 years and is passionate about young people and families. Lisa is married to husband of 27 years Adam and together they have three children.