Songs set the night alight

BALLARAT Carols by Candlelight returned last Sunday, delighting crowds at Mars Stadium and getting everyone into the festive spirit as the sun went down.

The night of Christmas song and sparkle saw local singers and musicians perform live on stage to a crowd of more than 10,000 people who were watching on from the playing surface on their camp chairs and picnic rugs.

The program of entertainment included vocalists Jason Wasley, Sarah Landy, Brent Trotter, Jodie Toering, Carolyn Bennett, Sarah Louise Younger, Joe Appleton and many more.

Broadcasters Julia Zass and Gareth McGrath hosted proceedings and described the evening as “magical” as they listened to each act and gazed out to the audience with their colourful, waving glowsticks.

The Carols orchestra kept the beat all evening, conducted by Sarah Barlow, and ensembles Twilight Gypsi, Team Dream, The Drum Line, the Ballarat Grammar Pipe Band, and BCMA’s cast of Little Women were also contributors to the show, alongside special guest, Santa Claus, who arrived on the back of a ute.

Carols Crew volunteers helped keep the event moving, with many rattling donation tins in support of welfare agencies Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul, the Salvos, and Uniting throughout the stadium. By 9.30pm, they had already counted $6000.

The SpringFest Christmas Market was held on the adjacent arena from 2pm to 7.30pm, before the 2022 SpringFest online raffle was drawn on stage during the concert.

“The raffle has raised $8000 for our community partners,” SpringFest director Rob Glass said.

“Our Christmas Market today has raised enough money to donate more than $6600 to the Carols’ beneficiaries tonight as well.”

If Wasley’s rendition of Jerusalem wasn’t the crescendo, then the SCA 10 fireworks show was, which concluded the evening with a big bang, launching just behind the North Ballarat Sports Club, as the orchestra played on.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson wished attendees a Merry Christmas and said the municipality’s partnership with the Carols committee is something they want to secure into the future.

“Ballarat cannot go on without Carols by Candlelight. It’s an institution,” he said.

Voice FM broadcast the presentation live and will replay it on Christmas Day.