Bellarine carols events to delight families

CHRISTMAS carols will return to the Bellarine in the coming weeks as the calendar edges closer to December 25.

The Ocean Grove community will start the festivities tonight (Sunday, December 8) with up to 3,000 people expected to gather for the annual Carols in the Park from 7pm.

This year’s event will feature performances by the Geelong Harmony Choir and the Carols Orchestra, along with students from the Ocean Grove, Surfside and Our Lady Star of the Sea primary schools.

Entry to Ocean Grove Park will be by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to Feed Me Bellarine.

Attendees are also invited to bring an unwrapped gift to put under a giant Christmas tree on the night, which will be distributed by Cottage by the Sea to local children in need.

Meanwhile, the Drysdale Community Church will once again host Carols on the Bellarine indoors at its site in Jetty Road on December 13 from 7.30pm.

The event is free, but bookings are encouraged via trybooking.com/CVPID

The Portarlington Community Carols is gearing up for its biggest event to date, with a larger stage, larger accompanying band and more food trucks planned for the occasion.

This year’s free event will be held on December 20 at W.G. Little Reserve, behind the senior citizen’s building in Newcombe Street, and more than 600 people are expected to attend.

“There’s quite a number of events in Portarlington that are staples on the community calendar, and I think the carols is one of them,” event organiser and MC Julie Rock said.

“Portarlington loves a real community event bringing people together.

“It’s just a really great night for families to get together just before Christmas.”

A Lions Club sausage sizzle will begin at 7pm, the famous Portarlington donut van will be on hand, and roaming entertainment in the form of a hula hooping elf will keep the kids amused.

In a beloved tradition, local children will again be invited to take part in a live nativity scene, while the CFA will provide Santa’s transportation for the evening while his reindeer conserve their energy for a busy Christmas eve.

“There’s power in joining together at this time of the year and being a part of our community events. It’s what keeps our town running,” Ms Rock said.

“So come on down and be part of it.”

Flying Brick Cider House had planned to run its inaugural Carols by the Barrels in the evening of December 15, but the event has since been cancelled due to overwhelming interest.

The Flying Brick team is already working toward hosting the event next year at a larger site able to safely accommodate the volume of anticipated attendees.