By Jess Baker
Christmas is almost upon us, and that means it is time for carols!
Warwick will host its annual Christmas Carols event this Sunday 13 December from 6:00pm at the Warwick Showgrounds, following Stanthorpe’s event on Friday 11 December from 6:30pm in Weeroona Park.
Organisers encourage families to come and join performers in celebration of the holiday season and the return of community events to the region. There will be a range of old and new Christmas songs and carols at both events, performed by old and new entertainers, as well as some delicious food and drinks from local vendors.
Music Director and performer Erin Hilton is a familiar face at the Warwick Carols in the Park, having been a part of the event for nearly 30 years, and she says this year’s is one not to miss.
“Artists are travelling from all over… Brisbane, Toowoomba and locally,” says Erin.
“Everyone who can come should – the talent is amazing and they do it for nothing.”
Erin says the Warwick Carols have seen between two to three thousand guests in the past, but with a change of venue and the difficult year 2020 has been, performers are not sure what to expect.
“We’re at a different venue this year so we can monitor who’s coming in and out,” she says.
“There will be contact tracing, social distancing and everything else.”
She says the carols are always wonderful, as people are in a “warm and fuzzy state of mind”.
“It makes Christmas feel real,” says Erin.
Stanthorpe’s event will have the same registrations and guidelines in place to safeguard the community. A Southern Downs Regional Council spokesperson says around 350 people are expected to attend the Stanthorpe Carols, so groups will be asked to social distance when choosing where to put their chairs and picnic blankets.
“Council takes the Covid-19 regulations for events very seriously and its events are subject to a strict Covid-19 Safe checklist for the safety of all attending,” says the spokesperson.
Council says there will be plenty of activities for the kids at both events, as well as a special visit from Santa and his helpers.
