Peter Mangelsdorf, with Michelle Hill, at the announcement earlier this year that his Christmas Wonderland feature would be relocated to Loxton North No.2 oval. PHOTO: Stephanie Thompson
LOXTON and the wider Riverland community is mourning the death of well-known local Peter Mangelsdorf.
Mr Mangelsdorf was the founder of the Loxton Christmas Wonderland display, housed for nearly 40 years on his Fairweather Avenue property, just outside Loxton.
Earlier this year it was announced the Christmas feature would have a new home, at Loxton North’s No.2 oval, from Christmas 2022 onwards.
After a battle with illness, Mr Mangelsdorf passed away last week, just days before tomorrow’s 2022 Loxton Lights Up event, which heralds the start of the town’s Christmas season celebratoins.
The Christmas Wonderland Facebook page posted a poignant message last Thursday after learning of Mr Mangelsdorf’s death.
“We are very saddened that he isn’t going to turn the lights on this Saturday,” it said.
“We are heartened that he was able to see the progress of the move even when in hospital.
“We promise Peter that we will continue to deliver the message that he has delivered for 37 years to the people of the Riverland and far and wide – the message of the ‘spirit of Christmas’ and ‘family at Christmas’.
“Our thoughts, love and prayers go out to the Mangelsdorf family.”
