Lara Carols to make grand return after five-year hiatus

THE Lara Carols are back for the first time in five years tomorrow (Saturday, December 14) night, returning to the historic Pirra Homestead.

Lara Carols organisers anticipate more than 1,000 residents will attend the Windemere Road property, where they will be treated to an array of Christmas performances, a sausage sizzle, food trucks and more.

Lifeway Christian Church pastor Rob Chaney said the Lara Carols were unique compared to other carolling events across the Greater Geelong region.

“What makes Lara Carols special is the backdrop it provides and the distinct focus the combined churches of Lara have in making Jesus the central theme of Christmas.

“We pay a particular focus on Jesus and the creation, making sure it still stays contemporary and relevant to our community without losing the Christian focus.”

The carols are co-ordinated by the Combined Churches of Lara and auspiced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

Carols in Lara has not had much success in recent years due to ongoing cancellations from an array of circumstances.

The carols were last held in 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions, weather challenges and lack of funding last year, but Father Chaney said the community had been buzzing in recent weeks knowing the carols are planned to return.

Reverend Kelvin Hodge, a minister at the Lara Partnership Uniting Church, is relatively new to the area, moving to Lara 18 months ago. Tomorrow will be his first Lara Carols.

He said the Lara community pencilled in the carols each year, making for a large-scale event.

“There’s both excitement and nervousness for this weekend’s event, I’m usually used to smaller-scale events, but this will be the biggest thing I’ve been a part of from an organising perspective.

“The planning has been a bit of a fingernail-biting exercise as the event has gotten closer.

“We have an experienced team, however, and we’re in good hands with the team we’ve got, and we can’t wait for the community to enjoy this event once again.”

Gates open to Pirra Homestead from 6.30pm, and carols will begin from 8pm.