Bendigo Carols by Candlelight, Rosalind Park, 2018 | Photos
Update 7.45pm: SANTA CLAUS is expected to make his entrance at the Rotary Club of Bendigo’s Carols by Candlelight at about 9pm tonight and it seems the good weather has come out to greet him.
This year carol organisers at events across Bendigo have had anxious waits in the lead up to events.
The Canterbury Carols in Eaglehawk had to be abandoned on 6 December, after rainfall failed to clear.
Carols by Candlelight delights crowds | Photos
Yet Bendigo is currently basking in a beautiful summer evening, with families gathering ready to sing favourite songs and be entertained by talented local performers.
The City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band has finished its first set, as has band Jadebyrd.
The crowd is still building as the carols continue.
Update, Sunday: 1.40pm: CAROLS by Candlelight organisers are confident the threat of rain will dissipate by this evening.
The Rotary Club of Bendigo’s Mike Pearson said it was hard to know how many people would come, given the grey skies and drizzly weather earlier today.
“Hopefully people will see that it is not going to pour down,” he said.
“You can never know for sure, but they (organisers) made a decision lunchtime Friday and decided it was likely to be clear.”
“There were about 7000 who came last year. There might be a few less this year because of rain, but who knows, we might get the full amount.”
Yesterday’s threat of severe thunderstorms in Bendigo held off, despite wild weather in other parts of the state.
Today, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning only Victoria’s far east could see storms.
Bendigo Carols by Candlelight, 2017.
UPDATE, 2pm: The Rotary Club of Bendigo’s Carols by Candlelight will go ahead in Rosalind Park on Sunday from 6pm.
Organisers were left with an easy decision after inspecting the park and studying the weather forecast.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a 40 per cent chance of 1mm of rain on Sunday with a top temperature during the day of 27 degrees.
“We were conscious of fact about the rain had and whether it damage the park (to hold the carols there),” Rotary Club of Bendigo president Libby Hughes said.
“But it has all drained away nicely and is dry under foot, so we feel it’s fine and will go ahead and have it in the park.”
During the 48 years Rotary has hosted the carols, the event has only been move a handful of times.
“It’s so lovely to have it in the park,” Ms Hughes said. “You can lose some of the crowd (if you move the carols indoors), not a huge amount but some people decide not to come out for (bad weather).”
Friday, 7.17am: Bendigo Carols by Candlelight organisers will decide by lunch today where Sunday evening’s event will be held.
With showers forecast and the city receiving 42mm of rain in the last 24 hours, organisers must decide whether the Rotary Club of Bendigo Carols by Candlelight will be held in Rosalind Park of the Bendigo Exhibition Centre at the showgrounds.
Rotary Club of Bendigo Carols by Candlelight co-coordinator Valerie Broad and classical singer Megan Kane Griffin. Picture: CHRIS PEDLER
Co-cordinator Valerie Broad said once that decision is made, it won’t be changed.
“It goes ahead hail, rain or shine,” she said. “Should it be inclement weather, it will be at the Exhibition Centre in Holmes Road.
“We make a decision on where it will be at noon on Friday and we will let everybody know. Once that decision is made it is set in concrete and we live with it.”
Mrs Broad said almost 7000 people attended last year’s event and that in her experience bad weather didn’t deter crowds.
She has been involved with the Bednigo carols since she was a teenager.
“It was run by a church group before Rotary, so I have been involved the whole 48 (Rotary has run it) and a bit longer,” Mrs Broad said.
“It has always been popular and we have had had huge storms before without contingency plans but people still come out.
“It is a wonderful thing to stand on the stage, looking out to the park and seeing all the candles lit. It's quite exciting.
“The family atmosphere is great, it’s a free event and it’s a lovely way to usher in Christmas. It starts at 6pm on Sunday with the Man in Red expected about 9.30pm.”
Classical singer Megan Kane Griffin is taking part in the carols for the first time in a number of years.
“Last time I sang at the carols was when I was in the Bendigo Youth Choir many moons ago,” she said.
“It’s good to be back. From a really young age I have come to the carols and known it to be such a beautiful event.
“It’s a great event to be with family and friends and able to celebrate Christmas, so I’m excited to be a part of that.”
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