Looking at Christmas displays is a favourite holiday tradition, and, for 4017 locals, a trip to Sandgate’s Tackle Land to visit Bruce the shark is usually high on the list.
Mark Templeton, proud owner of Tackle Land, takes great delight in decorating Bruce in his Christmas finest each holiday season to bring joy to all those who pop by to visit.
“The idea of Bruce was born while we were on a holiday years ago and were brainstorming with friends,” he said. “While a number of our crazy ideas were throwaways, the idea of having a huge shark, well that was a keeper!
“We have been dressing Bruce up for the last 7 ½ years. It all started with a very awkward New Year’s Eve party hat. Since then, he has also worn a pair of six-foot-tall rabbit ears and handmade eggs for Easter, but Christmas has always been his time to shine.”
While Bruce’s Christmas display is always impressive – complete with a traditional fireplace and Christmas tree with all of the trimmings, the decor is also very eco-friendly.
“We try to use recycled materials for any costumes we make for him,” Mark said. “The Christmas tree we use has over 800 old CDs taped together to form fish scales.”
Bruce’s Legacy and Future Plan
Since Bruce came to be, the community has welcomed him with open arms, with visitors delighting in taking family photos, selfies and even shooting videos with the local legend over the holiday period.
“We have families who come back every year for their traditional Christmas photo, which we happily take for them,” Mark said. “However, we really encourage people to go nuts and have fun – the weirder the photo, the more smiles you get.”
While this Christmas season is just getting underway, Mark is already thinking ahead to plans for Bruce’s 2025 holiday display.
“I plan to create a 12-foot tall ‘Remembering Tree’ covered with an old fishing net,” he said. “There will be painted wooden ornaments on which people can write the name of someone who has passed and then place on the tree to let them know they are still with us.”
For a photo of your own family with Bruce this holiday season, visit Tackle Land at the corner of Rainbow and Hancock Street in Sandgate – and be sure to tag Tackle Land in all of your family snaps!
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
- The Adventures of Alex and Joe
- Free Family Fun at Sands Bowlo First Birthday
- Rent vs Home Ownership
- Organic Gardening in December
- Santa By the Seaside
- New Year, New Home Renovation? The Time To Start Planning Is Now
- A Stitch in Time on Screen
- Beyond Orientation – Tips For Starting High School
- Photographer Hangs Up His Hat
- Yuletide on the Bayside
- Jason’s Quality Meats Triumphs at QLD Sausage King Awards
- Raise a Glass to Christmas Tunes
- Bramble Buzz: Updates from the Community
