Snow to fall on Friday

Warragul will be transformed into a winter wonderland on Friday for SnowFest Gippsland.

The team behind the event, Warragul Business Group, have been hard at work making the final preparations for what is sure to be an action-packed night.

Committee coordinator Jenny Muir said the event was in its final planning stages late last week.

"It's going really well, we've had a great response from volunteers across the community," she said.

"It's going to be bigger than ever before, and we are really making up for the last two years."

Ms Muir gave special thanks to the Neerim South, Dusties and Warragul Football Netball Clubs for their support, as well as Warragul Rotary Club, the Lions Club and the CFA, SES and Victoria Police.

She said parents with babies should look out for Olivia's Place marquee, which will be set up for their use and will be especially handy if it's a cold, wet evening.

Ms Muir said the event will go on whatever the weather is like and encouraged people to don their gumboots and have fun.

"There's heaps of snow up at Baw Baw, so we've actually got an additional snow play area this year - we've got five," she said.

"There are lots of competitions and giveaways on the night, we've got some fantastic prizes."

One highlight of the evening will be the 10 locals getting dunked into an ice-cold Dunk Tank to raise money for Baw Baw Food Relief.

The 'dunkees' include Carolyn Turner, Tyler Parson, Ranger Benny, The Kim McFarlane, Wayne Farnham, Mayor Michael Leaney, Ed Cowlishaw, Mia McGarrity, Craig Debnam and Damon Jackson.

Ms Muir said each individual has been raising money for the cause in the lead-up to

SnowFest.

West Gippsland Art Centre will join in the fun, with a variety of activities set up inside the centre, and Elsa from the movie Frozen will also be wandering the streets, along with other popular characters.

Ms Muir thanked the committee volunteers for their hard work, and all the other community members to work hard behind the scenes to make the event possible.

"It's an amazing group of people," she said. The evening will kick off at 4pm and finish at 8pm with a fireworks display.

Those wishing to attend have the option to purchase wristbands to access certain activities. Wristbands will be sold online up until Friday night at a cost of $5. Those who purchase bands will have unlimited access to several activities, including Mt Baw Baw laser tag, Australian Mountain Boarders lessons, a giant slide, face painters, a jumping castle and a rock climbing wall. They are available for purchase on the SnowFest Gippsland website and can be picked up at the SnowFest ticket booth from noon on the day of the event (corner Barkly and Smith Street). However it is reccomended they can collected in adance from Office Choice Warragul.

Other activities on offer include a free real snow play area, an extreme bike display, an ice dunking machine, music and entertainment, prizes and giveaways, marshmallow roasting, street dining and more.

SnowFest will have a new location this year, with the designated area extending along Albert St, between the roundabouts where it intersects with Smith St and Mason St, and from Albert St down Smith St to where the road intersects with Barkly St.

To learn more visit, https://www.snowfestgippsland.org/