The Orbost Christmas Eve Festival and fireworks are to go ahead as planned.
All approvals were finalised on Monday following extensive work by the organising committee and after some significant changes were made to the framework of events by the State Government on Friday last week.
In order for the event to be run, it needs to have a COVID-Safe plan in place and this will mean that there will be a few things different to usual, but many will remain the same.
“Given the need to adhere to the COVID- Safe plan, the committee is asking that the public please be patient and bare with all the volunteers as it will be a new experience for us all. However, we are all thrilled that the event is able to be ran when 2020 has seen many events crumble,” the organising committee said in a statement.
“If anyone has any spare time that they wish to volunteer on the evening for any of the logistical areas then please do not hesitate to get in contact with Samantha Reynolds at the Snowy River Mail and the committee will find a role for you.”
The biggest difference this year will be the need to register as you enter into the main street and into Forest Park for the fireworks – more details will be provided in this paper next week and circulated via social media.
Minute To Win It will be back as the main entertainment for the night and will take part in its usual spot out the front of Chooky’s Roost and the jolly man himself, Santa will be present, but with social distancing in place.
Perhaps one of the biggest blows to the event is that unfortunately the jumping castles cannot be used this year, but there will be some other entertainment for the younger children in its place – details are still being finalised and will also be released in next week’s edition.
“There will be a variety of stalls including a show bag stall which all profits from the sales will be put back into the Christmas Eve Festival for 2021, vintage car displays and the usual displays from our emergency services,” the committee said.
Anyone wishing to have a stall on the night should contact Jane Crofts at Andrew’s Land and Surf.
“Twelve months ago we were in the middle of a fire emergency and at the festival we will take the opportunity to acknowledge the work that was done for the community by all the emergency services personnel during that period,” the committee said.

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Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Susan Hooper, and Rotary Club of Orbost member, Peter van den Oever, were all smiles and pulling party poppers to rejoice being able to celebrate the Christmas Eve Festival getting the tick of approval to go ahead under a COVID-Safe plan.