Hop on down to the Easter party on Mary Street

MARY Street will be a hive of activity on Wednesday night - and everyone in Gympie is invited to be part of it all.

Easter on Mary will involve 45 shops, cafes and pubs opening their doors; there will be street theatre and entertainment, and a range of stalls offering their wares.

A huge part of Easter on Mary is the free shuttle buses.

Velmac Auto Service owner Paul Vella and his wife Sue contracted Roundabout Tours to run a free bus, from 5pm to 9pm, between five pick up points.

It will allow Gympie locals and visitors to park away from Mary Street and take the bus into the CBD.

"It will alleviate traffic conjestion in Mary Street and allow people to simply enjoy the evening," Mr Vella said.

"We want ot get as many people as we can into Mary Street, without them having to walk up and down hills."

The Combined Churches will have an Easter themed event.

A highlight of Easter on Mary will be the fabulous Easter Bonnet fashion parade, at the Gold Centre Stage at 6pm - with prizes for the best bonnet

And ToyWorld's Best Dressed Bunny, in store at 7pm.

Children and adults can also enjoy horse and cart rides, thanks to Sun Coast Carriages and a roving Easter Bunny will hand out Easter eggs.

But wait, there's more. There will be wine and cheese tastings outside Bella Casa; NAB will have a craft corner, Cooloola Berries and Kilkivan Meats will be showing off their wares, and the Gympie Historic Auto Club will be doing laps in vintage cars.

There will be so much happening, so come and be a part of a vibrant Mary St on Wednesday, from 5pm to 9pm.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Easter Bonnet parade - Gold centre stage - 6pm.

 Best dressed Easter Bunny competition - Toyworld - 7pm

 Horse and cart rides for the kids - all evening

 Easter Bunny handing out Easter eggs - until eggs run out

  Entertainment from African drummers and AICM - Gold centre stage

 Pop up shops and wine and cheese tastings

 Gold film festival screenings

 Auto club vintage cars doing laps

FREE BUS

Shuttle pick up and drop off at:

 Civic Centre Car Park (under awning)

 Valley Rattler Train Station

 Gympie Central (bus stop opposite Pizza hut)

 PC Place Bus Stop

 Smithfield Street

First pick up at 5pm at the Civic Centre and loop half hourly, until 9pm.

Leave the car, catch the shuttle and enjoy the night.