There was plenty to celebrate as a huge crowd packed into Tamworth's Fitzroy Plaza on Thursday night for the official lighting of the Community Christmas Tree.
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As well as all the family entertainment and food, there was a visit from Santa, which added to the festive spirit.
But of course that was not the only excitement on the night, with the winner of the Think Local Support Local campaign draw was also revealed.
From 12 lucky key holders, Leah Weatherington, walked away as the new owner of the Honda Jazz.
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The suspense lasted right until the last, with Leah picking up key number 11.
She was so excited she dropped her walking stick when the key opened the car door. She told organisers 'I need a seat'.
The Chamber keen to thank everybody who shopped local and supported the campaign through local retailers.
"We're still counting the final results but we're expecting to surpass $1.5 million in sales from the campaign, that's a 50 per cent increase on last year and really shows how invested our community is in supporting local businesses," Chamber's executive officer Sam Rains said.
"It's expected to see the bigger stores like Aldi and JB Hi-Fi do well, but they still employ local staff so we are proud to help support them but the top 10 businesses in the shop local campaign shows that community businesses like The Lemon House, Penrose Meats, Sweet Secrets Lingerie, Chris Watson Travel and Woodley's have had enormous success and really thrived under this program."
"To watch Leah Weatherington's face light up when she realised she had won the car, it's moments like that, that make these community events so worthwhile.
"We really appreciate the support from Centrepoint, Woodley's and 88.9 FM who have been huge supporters of the 'Think Local, Support Local' campaign, without their efforts, this program would not have been the success it has been.
"Also the support from Allsopp Signs, The Northern Daily Leader and WIN Television has helped us show the success of our businesses and how proud we are of them and all they've achieved as they continue to battle through this drought."
