By KATH GANNAWAY
HOME-GROWN and professional fire dancers will light up the night as the main attraction of this year’s WHYLD Winter Warming on Sunday, 19 June.
The event which celebrates the Winter Solstice aims to bring people from up, down and sideways along the Warburton Highway, out of hibernation for a catch-up around the bonfire.
WHYLD co-ordinator, Merril Knoll said some changes made as a result of feedback from the inaugural 2015 event include an earlier finish time (before the damp settles in) and lots of free or low-cost activities.
Fire and warmth are the central themes of activities including old-fashioned games, a magic show and circus play, a sing-along around the bonfire, donkey rides and a lantern parade leading up to the grand finale, a spectacular fire-dance performance.
“We have had a group of around 12 or 13 mainly local people coming along for two full weekends to learn how to do fire-twirling from the amazing people at The Fireworks Dance Company,” Ms Knoll said.
She said the aspiring fire-twirlers had enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn the skills and to practice for what promises to be a spectacular and fiery finale.
Instructions on how to make a tin can lantern for the parade are on the WHYLD facebook page for people to make at home, or join in one of the lantern workshops on the day.
Entry is by gold coin donation to the local CFA and refreshments, also by gold coin donation, will be provided by the Hoddles Creek Red Cross.
The Red Cross will also have a stall packed with hand-crafted winter woollies.
The WHYLD Winter Warming will take place from 2pm to 6pm at Wickhams Road Recreation Reserve in Launching Place.
