ARARAT and Stawell residents are warming up their vocal chords in anticipation of each town’s annual Christmas Carol events.
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Ararat’s Y’s Mens Club will host the annual event at Alexandra Gardens on Saturday December 8.
Club president Joe Perry said the event will be free of charge and will have plenty on for young and old alike.
The night will kick off at 6.30pm with a sausage sizzle.
At 7pm the Sing Australia Choir and the Ararat 800 school choir will lead the caroling, backed by the Ararat City Brass Band.
Kids can get their faces painted between 6.30pm and 8pm, and there will be free fairy floss.
Of course, no Christmas event would be complete without the man in red himself, so Santa will be there too.
Mr Perry said that the event usually gets between 1000 and 2000 attendees from Ararat and the broader region.
“A lot of people look forward to it,” he said.
“25 years ago we put it into the park and it has grown from something very small into a very big night.”
Mr Perry hopes the weather will be kind, but said even if it’s not, that won’t deter organisers from going ahead with the event.
“It will be on rain, hail or shine,” he said.
Halls Gap will hold a Christmas Carol event the next day on December 9 at the Pomonal Hall.
The evening will also kick off with a gold coin donation sausage sizzle at 6.30pm, with singing to begin from 7.30pm.
Singers will include local talent and they will be backed by the Stawell Brass Band.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to make donations to the Christmas Bowl appeal for families needing a boost this Christmas.
Meanwhile, Stawell is gearing up to host its own caroling event a week later.
The SPACi Stawell Community Christmas Carols event will take place at Cato Park on December 14, kicking off at 7pm.
The event will be preceded by the annual Main Street Christmas Parade at 6.30pm, which is being coordinated by Stawellbiz.
Council stated that ‘up until 14 December, community members can also take part in the Main Street Christmas Trail, where they can find figurines in shop windows related to the nativity scene and match the name of the shop with the figurine.’
Entry forms can be picked up at Waack’s Bakery, Chris and Di’s Bakery, Stawell Sportspower and Amcal Pharmacy, and the winner will be announced at the Community Christmas Carols event.
Santa will also clear his schedule to visit Stawell, with appearances scheduled from December 15 to 24 at Shop 108 in Main Street, where children can have their photo taken with him.
Stawell Ward Councillor, Murray Emerson said “there’s plenty happening for all, so it’s a good opportunity for the Stawell community to come together.”
“It’s a special time of the year, so we’d like everyone to come along and join in on the festivities,” he said.
