Annual Christmas celebration

Organisers of Stawell’s annual Christmas Tree Festival have encouraged Wimmera people to participate in this year’s event.

St Peter’s Lutheran Fellowship members will host the 14th festival at Stawell Entertainment Centre on November 24 and 25.

Organiser Lois Nuske said leaders were seeking community support to make the event ‘another special introduction to Christmas’.

“In short, we need your creative ideas,” she said. “The aim of a festival is to bring people and organisations together to celebrate and enjoy a particular occasion or event, and this festival certainly aims to do that.”

Mrs Nuske said Christmas was the season to celebrate the birth of Christ, the season of goodwill, peace and joy.

“What better way to spread that message than to provide an avenue for people to share their talents while creating a display that will bring joy to so many?” she said

The festival generally features displays of Christmas trees large and small, decorated mantelpieces, ‘Christmas in a pot’, wrapped Christmas gifts and hanging front-door decorations.

“By popular demand this year, our feature tree will be decorated with Chrismons,” Mrs Nuske said. “Traditionally white and gold, these decorations originated in America many decades ago and there will be an information brochure on display.”

There will also be stalls, carols, entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments.

“We need your help to make this truly a Christmas spectacular. Please consider submitting an entry,” Mrs Nuske said.

Entry forms with the various sections and criteria are now available at Stawell Craft Shop; Eleanor Clark Furniture and Bedding, Stawell; Stawell Neighbourhood House; Waacks Bakery in Stawell, Ararat and Horsham; and libraries in Stawell, Ararat and Horsham.