Carols replace footy at Mars Stadium

FOR an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of AFL and VFL players join the local community for the inaugural Ballarat Carols on the field in Mars Stadium.

The ground will host a sea of picnic rugs, fold up chairs and families listening to and singing their favourite Christmas carols on Sunday, 16 December.

The free event, presented by a group of local Ballarat churches supported by the City of Ballarat, is hoping to attract in excess of 4000 people to the stadium.

Singers and musicians from the churches will lead the program from a stage set up on the ground.

Rise Church pastor Harly Burn, coming up to his fifth year singing at the event said, “The audience loves to sing along with the big items of the night such as O Holy Night and Come all Ye Faithful.”

Kardinia Church’s campus pastor Shayne Westblade, one of the organisers of the Carols said, “As well as entertaining the audience with the carol singers, there will be performance from Ballarat based Little Brass Band and a kid’s segment where Santa will make an appearance.”

“The theme for the night is generosity and the gift of giving, so as big supporters of the 3BA Christmas Appeal we will take up a collection plus accept donations of gifts and non-perishable food items.”

Ballarat Carols at Mars Stadium, Midland Hwy Wendouree on Sunday, 16 December at 7.30pm.

Food vans will be on site at 4.00pm with pre-Carols entertainment at 6.30pm.

Entry is free and bags will be checked on arrival.

No glass is permitted and Ballarat Carols is an alcohol-free event.