News from Stardust Castle

South Australian student’s inspiration behind winning National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Mini-Float Design revealed at Stardust Castle

National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Mini-Float competition winner 11-year-old Adeline Graetz from Salisbury Downs visited Stardust Castle today to witness the unveiling of the float she designed which includes a sweet tribute to her great grandmother.

The winning mini-float design, called “A Violin for Christmas” and featuring a giant teddy bear reading a violin sheet music book, Christmas gifts and beautiful violin, will be showcased in this year’s National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Saturday 13 November at Adelaide Oval.

National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Director, Brian Gilbertson, said “South Australia is a state filled with phenomenal creativity and seeing the next generation of creatives empowered to explore their artistic passion is something very special for the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.”

“The Mini-Float design competition is an annual celebration of our student’s creativity across the state and this year it’s been a privilege to share in Adeline’s artistic journey from design through to creation.”

Miss Graetz winning design was judged and selected from over 275 submissions and inspired by her great grandmother who was an accomplished violinist.

“When my great grandmother passed, I inherited her 150-year-old violin and at Christmas time I loved playing carols on it. This is where my inspiration came from with my entry,” Miss Graetz said.

When “A Violin for Christmas” is unveiled it will be a particularly special time for Adeline who is the third generation of her family to take part in the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, following the footsteps of her mother and grandfather.

National Pharmacies CEO, Vito Borrello said the event would not only be a special occasion for the Graetz family, but for all families in South Australia and beyond.

“This event is nostalgic for so many families, near and far, it’s great to be empowering a younger generation of South Australian creatives to get involved. All entrants should be very proud of their designs,”, Mr Borrello said

“The passion and excitement from Adeline and her family as part of The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant community is fantastic, and the reaction to the float reveal is something we look forward to each year.”

As part of winning first place, Miss Graetz will be awarded a cash prize of $500 donated by National Pharmacies, having her design constructed for the 2021 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, a prize pack, a unique behind the scenes tour of Stardust Castle with her class and family, and a reserved space to watch the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.

As South Australia’s ‘night of nights’ draws closer, National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant lovers are invited to register in the ballot for up to five free, general public tickets through Ticketek with registrations open on Friday 29 October from 10am until Sunday 31 October at 10pm.

More information around event schedule, ticketing, crowd attendance and SA Health advice will be released in the weeks to come.