Festive event to return to the Grove

THE Ocean Grove Business Association’s (OGBA) plans for Christmas in the Grove are officially underway with its president encouraging local businesses to jump on board the preparations.

Ocean Grove resident, Driftwood Café owner and OGBA president Ty Simons said the association is gearing up for its biggest event of the year with thousands of residents and visitors expected to attend the town’s Christmas event on December 7 from 5-8pm following two years of cancellations.

“We’re encouraging businesses on The Terrace strip, where the event will be held, to host sales on the day with tables and stalls out the front of their shopfronts, to really display what is available in town,” Mr Simons said.

“That’s the purpose of Christmas in the Grove, to remind people to spend money in Ocean Grove on what we have to offer.”

The kid-friendly, family event will host a variety of activities aside from the opportunity to peruse around 85 businesses along the closed-off street.

Mr Simons said a petting zoo, a stage, live music, and a chance to meet Santa Claus are all on the agenda for this year’s Christmas in the Grove with the assistance of the City of Greater Geelong.

On the back of December’s event, Mr Simons hopes to expand the number of community days the OGBA can host throughout the year similar to Christmas in the Grove, but the pandemic has proved to be a major obstacle in maintaining membership numbers and event funding.

Mr Simons said that since the beginning of COVID-19, local business memberships have halved from over 100 to approximately 50.

“It has been particularly hard for us to gain new business members over the past couple of years for obvious reasons, because new members want to see results from the $110 membership fee they contribute,” Mr Simons said.

“However, as we begin hosting more days like Christmas in the Grove, the more members we’re able to recruit and as a result, we’re able to organise more events during the year down the track.”

If any Ocean Grove based businesses are eager to assist with Christmas in the Grove or join the Association for future event, they are urged to reach out Ty and his committee at www.oceangrovebusiness.com.au