The magic of Christmas was expressed in many different ways in the various floats and decorated bikes in the annual Cowell Lions’ Christmas pageant.
Hundreds of people of all ages lined Main Street for the event held on Christmas Eve – Wednesday, 24 December.
The Curtis family’s Bluey float was awarded the first prize, with those on the float and walking alongside ranging in age from seven months to 84 years’ old.
The Lunch Room’s American settlers-inspired float won second, and the Kaden family’s “super kids” won third.
Also polling very high scores from the judges was Cowell Hospital’s Disney character Stitch-themed float.
Wayne Smith’s Chevrolet truck claimed first prize in the vintage section. It was Norm Franklin’s original 1954 truck, which Wayne and Bronte Smith and Dave Panter got it going again.
Sharing equal second were Mazz Siedel’s convertible Falcon and Cowell History group’s Bedford truck.
The best float by a community service organisation went to Cowell Air Sea Rescue.
Patrick Stening won the prize for boys’ best decorated bike, with Liam Arnold second, Brett Smith third, Noah King fourth and Freddie McGoldrick was fifth.
The best walking group was awarded to Riley Siviour and her dog Hank in his Christmas attire.
Robert Norris won best motorbike on his 1942 Harley Davidson.
He rode the same motorcycle from Cocklebiddy, WA, to Cowell in September – recreating a ride made on the same bike by his Dad and uncle in 1948.
There were no girls’ decorated bikes nor scooters entered this year.
Franklin Harbour District Council mayor Rachel Deer announced the council’s Australia Day award winners after the pageant, with Gary Becus winning the Citizen of the Year for his untiring work at the RV Park.
Baby Bounce, which is held at the Cowell Community Library each fortnight, won the Community Event of the Year.
In the week prior to the pageant, 81 people attended the Baby Bounce.
There were no nominations for Young Citizen of the Year.
Cowell Lions Club, which runs the pageant each year, said it would welcome constructive comments on how the event could be improved for 2026.