Fletcher Jones used to hold a Christmas party for his staff in the gardens each year and from December 2014, new owner, Dean Montgomery has welcomed community Christmas parties in the gardens. Organised by the artists collective, F Project - the community celebrations have a festival atmosphere - artists markets, music, food, performance and art transform the gardens into a place for people of all ages to roam or sit and enjoy the gardens. These are private gardens that have always been loved by the public. Lots of people still like to visit and spend time in the gardens, just as thousands did in the past. It's wonderful to see them being rejuvenated now and equally wonderful that community and public access to the gardens is welcomed by the new owner.
The community Christmas parties in the gardens have proven to be a wonderful celebration of the past and present connection to the site. They bring life, colour, creativity and joy to the Pleasant Hill site. In 2015, it was wonderful to have eighteen members of the Jones family join in the festivities. They travelled from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and even Germany to attend the picnic and the unveiling of the first FJ story panel!
