Representatives from the Orbost Rotary Club and the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been meeting regularly over the last two months to ensure all arrangements are in place for a bigger and better Christmas Eve Festival this year.

There will be an increased emphasis on community participation with extra activities for all age groups and a range of market stalls from local clubs and organisations and individuals.

The aim is to get families into Nicholson Street early, to have a meal and then enjoy the activities.

A number of organisations have already indicated they will be having stalls on the night.

The Christmas Eve Festival committee has set up a Facebook page where the community can keep up to date on what is planned for the night. The Facebook page will be a place to find out where all the lights are around town as residents start putting them up in December along with a list in the Snowy River Mail on December 19.

The Christmas tree in Tara Street will once again be decorated this year with an increased number of lights. It is also planned to have a range of decorations in Nicholson Street along with the wooden Christmas trees manufactured by Orbost Men’s Shed members.

The committee has sent out letters to a range of community organisations giving them the opportunity to have a display or a stall to increase the interest in Nicholson Street to all age groups.

Local organisations that wish to be involved should register interest with Jane Crofts, Lorraine van den Oever or Garry Squires from the organising committee.

Santa will visit on the night after 7.30pm and later in the evening there will be the traditional Carols by Candlelight at Forest Park just prior to the fireworks display, which will be the usual finale to the night.