Funding provides free activities at Snowfest

Warragul Business Group’s Snowfest on Friday has received a $5000 grant through the Latrobe Valley Authority’s community facility fund.

Organisers also received a $3000 Baw Baw Shire sponsorship grant.

The funds will be used to stage the family free event in the Warragul central business district on Friday night.

LVA chief executive officer Karen Cain said the funds would help stage a bigger and better festival following last year’s inaugural event.

She said Friday’s Snowfest would now include more snow activity space, two snow play areas, and husky dogs involved in sled demonstrations as part of the event.

Event organisers hope to attract more than 8000 people, doubling attendance numbers from last year.

A range of free family activities will be on offer at SnowFest, to be held in Warragul on July 28 from 5pm to 8pm.

Sections of Smith and Palmerston Sts will be closed to stage the winter themed festival in the central business district, which will feature a snow play area for families to enjoy. A fireworks display will feature at 7.30pm. Snow will be brought in from Mt Baw Baw and will be centre stage of the many free, winter themed activities.

Snow and snow making machines will be brought in to run a range of free activities including a toboggan run, snow play (separate areas for older kids and younger kids and toddlers), the Howling Huskies demonstration, winter aerobics and AFL Gippsland jumping castles and activities.

A dunking machine will be a popular attraction with a number of local people willing to shiver their way through the icy-cold dunk including mayor Joe Gauci, Cr Danny Goss, Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, Gazette editor Carolyn Turner, Peter Dell of Warragul Rotary and local business people Peter Clark, Leigh Marino and Anthony Alderuccio.

Community members will be able to roast marshmallows and there will be free show bags available for kids.

Market stalls also will be set up and the Warragul Business Group is encouraging food and drink outlets in the cbd to remain open.