By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA VALLEY children will be able to finish their school year with a special celebration this Friday, as Healesville’s main street closes off for the annual Christmas Festival.
The festival, which has been organised by the Healesville Chamber of Commerce, will be held between Green Street and Church Street from 4-7pm on Friday 19 December.
Event co-ordinator Lisa Hennessy said the event had been completely funded by the Chamber, along with local businesses and residents attending fund-raisers.
Journeys on a horse-and-cart, a visiting animal farm, jumping castles and rides will all set up along the town’s main shopping strip, and Father Christmas himself has been confirmed as the festival’s special guest.
The entire event – including photographs with Santa – is free-of-charge, and Ms Hennessy said parents would be able to pick their kids up from school on their last day and come right to the festival.
Some of the town’s shops will also be opening late for the festival, giving residents a chance to find a unique last-minute gift before Christmas.
Ms Hennessy said the Chamber was expecting thousands of people at the festival, which has drawn large crowds in the three previous years it had run.
Another of the event organisers, Vanessa Clothier, told the Mail that the event is designed to be accessible for everyone in the town, and parents won’t have to be out-of-pocket from the experience.
“We want to make it open to disadvantaged families, so their hands aren’t pushed in their pockets for anything,” she said.
“We want people to be aware that it’s the kindness of local businesses, and we’re hoping more can give in the future so it can continue.”
Ms Clothier said that food and drink would also be available at the festival, including a gingerbread decorating stall put on by Beechworth Bakery.
The Healesville Christmas Festival will run from 4-7pm on Friday 19 December, along Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway) in Healesville between Church and Green streets.
