Spring is here - though you wouldn’t know it from the wet and windy weather that’s battered us through the final days of the Kiama by-election campaign. 

Candidates have been popping up everywhere: online, on the streets, even down the alleyways with their superiors and entourages. 

After months without a local member, Kiama is ready to have someone in the seat again.

Curiously, no party has promised the return of New Year’s Eve fireworks. 

For many locals, that annual celebration was more than just a spectacle - it was a symbol of community, a reward for making it through the year together. 

At around $95,000, the cost might sound steep, but as one commenter pointed out online, that’s about the same as a luxury SUV. 

The reputational damage of cancelling our long-standing fireworks, though, is far greater. 

Tourists plan months ahead, book accommodation, and expect Kiama to deliver.

Some have suggested alternatives for the future - laser shows like Sydney’s Vivid, for example - but they come at an even higher cost and would need much more sponsorship. 

Thankfully, Kiama is rich with event expertise, and ideas keep bubbling up. 

No doubt something will be salvaged. Still, it’s a sad thought that 2025 will dawn without that shared moment by the harbour.

In the meantime, there’s plenty to celebrate this weekend. 

Folk By The Sea will light up The Pavilion with a three-day program of music, community, and connection. From the lively barn dance at the Anglican Church on Friday night to the stellar line-up across the weekend, the organising team deserves real applause for pulling together such a feast of talent. 

If you haven’t already, grab a ticket online or at the gate - there’s truly something for everyone.

Log on to The Bugle app to have a full program of the Folk By The Sea events at your fingertips.

The Bugle published a four-page guide to the festival recently and these will be available at the concert venues.

Sunday will also bring a splash of chrome and colour as the hot rods roll into town at Black Beach Reserve for their 10th anniversary - covering the grounds with gleaming paintwork and polish. 

They’ll gather at the Lighthouse on Saturday morning before heading off on their annual social road run - a chance for enthusiasts to get up close before they roar off down the coast.

And, of course, don’t forget to vote. Polling stations will be open across the electorate on Saturday. 

Whatever the outcome, let’s hope a fresh wind blows through Kiama - one that restores community pride, champions our traditions, and celebrates what makes this place so special.