Libby Martin will light Armidale's Christmas tree this year, and she said while she always enjoys the whole celebration, this year it will give her a break from some of the harsher realities of life.
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As Armidale Regional Council's deputy Mayor Cr Martin will officially turn on the lights of Armidale's Christmas Tree in Beardy Street Mall on Thursday November 21.
It is a civic ceremony on her "list" of duties as a Councillor, but one that she will particularly enjoy this year because Libby is also a farmer who happens to live at Wollomombi and in that world times are tough.
"I'm very excited about it. It's always a really, really fun afternoon in the Mall at the turning on of the Christmas lights," she said.
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Having been hand feeding for about a year, Libby said between drought and bushfire it was worrying times.
"We've got one [bushfire] that I would say is about 10 kilometres away, so a wind change may bring that one closer, but we've also got one down near Raspberry Road that, if it gets into the gorge could eventually impact on us as well," she said.
"We're having some really tough times in our region at the moment, so it's nice to have something good and cheerful to look forward to."
Cr Martin agreed it would be a good place to go to take a short break from the worries of the local situation.
"Absolutely, there's always a good vibe, always lots of happy, smiling faces, there'll be market stalls and food stalls, visits from a couple of Santa's reindeer so, lots to look forward to," she said.
"It's very popular and just a very fun afternoon and evening out.
"I'll be there, floating around, well before the lights are turned on. Got to have dinner as well."
Exactly what dinner would be she was not certain. A steak sandwich from the Tour de Rocks stall sufficed last year, but this year Cr Martin thought she might branch out and perhaps try something different.
"That's another great thing about the afternoon," she said.
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