The Hunter’s largest carolling event, Newcastle Permanent’s Carols by Candlelight, will be preceded by the Opening Ceremony of the International Children’s Games this Sunday (7 December 2014) at Speers Point Park.

The event will kick off at 5pm, with athletes from the competing team cities from all around the world parading out, followed by the lighting of the cauldron, and live entertainment.

Carols by Candlelight will follow at 8pm, and the evening will go out with a bang with a spectacular fireworks finale around 9.30pm.

Police are also urging the community to allow plenty of travel time both to and from the event.

“There is limited parking available at Speers Point Park, so we are encouraging the community to make use of Lake Macquarie Council’s ‘park and ride’ service,” Supt Greentree said.

Park and ride is a bus service from John Street at Warners Bay to the event and return, which runs regularly between midday and 11pm.

“This service is free and the best option for anyone who wants to be part of One Big Night,” Supt Greentree said.

“For those who must drive, we urge them to expect extensive delays and allow plenty of extra travel time. And please, be patient while you are waiting for traffic congestion to ease.”

Further information about One Big Night is available at the Lake Macquarie 2014 International Children’s Games website: www.icg-lakemacquarie2014.com.

The International Children’s Games (ICG) is the largest multi-sport youth games in the world, with more than 1500 athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 participating in the event each year.

More than 80 cities from 30 countries participate in the event, embracing the vision to promote peace and goodwill amongst children of different cultural backgrounds.

Lake Macquarie was the first Australian city to participate in the ICG, competing in San Francisco in 2008, and is the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the games.

The Games open on Sunday, with competition concluding on Wednesday (10 December 2014).