THE sweet sounds of Christmas have echoed across Eaglehawk's Canterbury Park.
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Hundreds of people turned out on Sunday night for the annual Eaglehawk UFS Dispensary Canterbury Carols.
Dahlia and Arts Festival president David Richards said the carols spectacular had a true community feel.
"The Rotary club do all the decorating, the Lions do the sausage sizzle, the Scouts do the soft drinks," he said.
"All the different community groups do their part and it all comes together on the night.
"The support we get from all the schools - seeing the kids all dressed up and enjoying themsleves - it's special."
The carols have been have been held every years since 1979, but not always at the park.
Rain forced its move to the town hall on several occasions in the 1980s before heading back outside for good in 1993.
Presentations this year were boosted by the inclusion for the first time of Epsom Primary School choir, which delivered robust performances of Mary's Boy Child and Jingle Bells.
It was a special occasion for Eaglehawk teenager Julia Wellard, who was one of two guest artists invited to perform, along with Joanne Bonazza.
We have a saying out this way, 'we do things thorough in the Borough - and that's very true when it come to carols.
- David Richards, Dahlia and Arts Festival president
Julia, a student at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, who splits time singing and dancing and is also a member of the Eagklehawk Brass Band, said she was thrilled to be on stage.
She chose Silent Night as her song to perform.
"I thought I would go for a classic song," Julia said.
"I love Christmas - I'm always the one who puts up the Christmas tree and lights," Julia said.
"It's good to see people out and motivated about Christmas. This is a great community event to participate in."
Choirs from Eaglehawk, Eaglehawk North, California Gully, Maiden Gully and St Liborius priamry school schools also took to the stage ahead of the arrival of Santa Claus and one final rendition of We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Mr Richards said the carols had evolved greatly since their inception.
"I can remember the days when there were two tray-trucks and they put them side by side to form a stage and the band would sit up on these two trucks with the compre and sing carols," he said.
"The sound, if it was windy, would get blown away, but today we have giant speakers.
"We're very proud of the carols out here.
"We have a saying out this way, 'we do things thorough in the Borough - and that's very true when it come to carols."