PORTARLINGTON\u2019S festive Community Christmas Carols have been cancelled this year, but the town\u2019s Church by the Bay has an alternative option available to residents this Sunday.<\/p>\n
Committee member and part-time chair of the Portarlington Community Carols Julie Rock said she was disappointed the popular carols will not be going ahead this year.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Ms Rock said given the effect COVID-19 has had on the event\u2019s logistics and preparations, residents will have to wait until next year\u2019s carols.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked about the event throughout the year trying to determine whether or not we could get things happening,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the end, it came down to the short turnaround.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the time we worked out that we could actually hold the event, it was into November, and it was just too late.\u201d<\/p>\n
Preparations for the carols usually start taking place in February where local artists begin to be booked and booking locations are determined.<\/p>\n
Portarlington-based church located on Waterview Close, Church by the Bay, which Ms Rock is also a member of, will be hosting a suitable lesser-sized event this Sunday at the Portarlington Pier to provide a place for carollers to gather despite the cancellation.<\/p>\n
Portarlington\u2019s usual Community Carols can hold between 500 to 600 people; however, Church by the Bay\u2019s Carols is expected to be slightly smaller in stature.<\/p>\n
Attending the newly created event will be members of Church by the Bay, a small choir and a band who will lead the carolling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere won\u2019t be a stage, there won\u2019t be local artists and the event won\u2019t have sound gear, as we\u2019ll be holding a separate service prior to the carols,\u201d Ms Rock said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely anyone is welcome to attend the Church by the Bay Carols, we\u2019ve got advertising on Facebook and advertising on the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we have created this event, so everybody in the community has a chance to meet and sing some carols.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Church by the Bay event will run from 6pm to 7pm this Sunday on the grassy plain at the Portarlington Pier Park.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to next year, the Carols committee was recently successful in attaining a community events grant of $3,000 from the City of Greater Geelong which will be used for next year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PORTARLINGTON\u2019S festive Community Christmas Carols have been cancelled this year, but the town\u2019s Church by the Bay has an alternative option available to residents this Sunday. Committee member and part-time chair of the Portarlington Community Carols Julie Rock said she was disappointed the popular carols will not be going ahead this year. Unfortunately, Ms Rock […]<\/p>\n