The festive season is here and in full swing – with visits from the jolly red fellow himself and a chance to embrace community spirit with carols across the region.
There will be CFA Santa runs and Carols galore across the Yarra Ranges in the coming weeks.
On Sunday 17 December, Santa Claus will be coming to town with the Ferntree Gully CFA and visit the parks and reserves of the area.
The Ferntree Gully CFA are very excited to bring Santa to do the rounds come down and say G’day!
The tour will go as follows:
9am – Kent Park Reserve and Koolung Native Reserve.
9.30am – Windemere Reserve and Ambleside Park.
10am – The jolly red fellow will also appear at Segata Circuit Reserve and Tim Neville Reserve.
10.30am – Mt Gate Primary and 8th Scout Hall.
11am – Picket reserve and Bursaria Avenue Reserve.
11.30 am Ferntree Gully Quarry and Fairhills Primary School.
The tour will finish up at the Ferntree Gully Fire Station at noon.
Belgrave South CFA will have a tour of their area with Santa in tow on Christmas Eve – Sunday 24 December from 4pm onwards and routes will be published closer to the time.
Community Carols events are available from Emerald to Belgrave so pop down to have a sing on the mountain or by the lake.
The Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade is delighted to host Carols on the Mountain on 16 December this year – first staged in 2005, the event has become a treasured annual highlight in the Hills community calendar.
Gates open at 6.30pm and carols will start at 7.30pm.
There is a big lineup of artists again this year including Soloist Lady Shaula, the Southern Voices and Tecoma Sing Australia choir, and the Upwey High School Show Band.
Santa will be arriving on a special “fire truck sleigh” at around 9pm.
Free parking is available in the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society gardens, just follow directions from the marshals.
The Sassafras-Ferny Creek CFA community information team will also be available on the night to discuss all things related to fire safety and donations from the evening go the CFA.
Carols by the Lake will return to Emerald this Christmas led by the Cardinia Civic Concert Band on the evening of Friday 15 December.
The night kicks off with a community picnic and carols from 5.30pm to 7pm led by local primary schools and local talents yet to be announced at the bandstand in Emerald Lake Park.
From 7.30 pm the Cardinia Civic Concert Band will lead the carols and attendees are encouraged to join in for the singing.
There will also be a special scavenger hunt at the lake for kids to take part in on the night, with clues to special spots throughout the park.
A collection will go around on the night and be donated to the SES and CFA in Emerald.
The event is made possible by the hard work of the dedicated volunteers, Cardinia Council, Barry Plant, St Marks Church and the Emerald Op-Shop.
Belgrave Christmas Carols will deck the hills and be quite jolly on Thursday 21 December from 3pm to 8pm at St Thomas Moore Primary, Reynolds Lane – Belgrave
A collaboration with the Belgrave Traders, Belgrave Big Dreams Market and sponsorship from the Belgrave Traders, Bell Realestate, Bendigo Bank – Belgrave and OBG Productions.
The event will feature late night shopping, a Santa appearance, local musician and live music, art, fashion and last minute gifts
Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the stalls, carols, food and local talent with your friends and family on the cusp of the Christmas busy season.
Region Schedule:
Carols by the Lake in Emerald on Friday 15 December at Emerald Lake Park from 5.30pm
Carols on the Mountain on Saturday 16 December, Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve, Hilton Road Sassafras.
Belgrave Christmas Carols on Thursday 21 December from 3pm to 8pm at St Thomas Moore Primary, Reynolds Lane in Belgrave
CFA Firetruck Santa runs – Ferntree Gully Sunday 17 December and Belgrave South on Christmas Eve 24 December.
