Christmas fest turns 10

ORGANISERS behind an annual event celebrating the holiday season will be acknowledging its 10th year when the initiative returns this weekend.

The Bacchus Marsh Christmas Festival and Carols By Candlelight will be returning tomorrow afternoon, Saturday 14 December, at Maddingley Park.

Event chair Daniel Webb founded the event in 2014, and said it has come a long way in that time.

“It’s grown from a small little market to a full-sized Christmas festival with carols for all the family to come,” he said.

“For myself, it’s been a long journey; we’ve had really good days and some slow days, we’ve gone through COVID, and losses almost to the point where it’s been unstable to keep this going.

“I find every year to be a rewarding one and it’s great to see the smiles on people’s faces at the end of the day.

“I started this through scouting in Bacchus Marsh, and we decided to go for a community grant with volunteers to bring something here for Christmas.”

Kicking off at 3pm, the free event will feature about a dozen rides, more than 90 market stalls, gingerbread and cookie decorating, and 15 food trucks.

A screening of the 2003 Christmas-themed comedy Elf will take place following its selection via public vote.

Live performances from local primary school students and the Australian Women’s Choir will also feature.

Carols will begin at 7pm.

The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at around 9pm.

Event vice-president Emma Dwyer has been involved with coordinating the event for about six years, initially participating as a vendor.

She said the event has grown a lot in her time.

“I think the first one had about 3000 people and we’ve grown as Bacchus Marsh has grown,” Ms Dwyer said.

“It’s nice seeing the children grown.

“We see them in previous years and then they’re there again the next bigger and growing up.

“Watching the families grow is nice, you almost feel a part of it.”