FOR the first time in many years, people spending the new year in Horsham will have a family-friendly public event as an option.
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The Horsham Agricultural Society will host a celebration at the Showground’s Maydale Reserve, funded by Horsham Rural City Council. The event will kick off at 6:30pm on December 31.
Venue manager Andrea Cross said the society has been spending the last few days getting everything ready for the free event.
“It’s been a long time since there have been New Year’s Eve events in Horsham, and this has probably been the first year in many I’ve actually been in Horsham. We normally go on holidays,” she said.
“I was maybe a teenager when there were events run at the Soundshell back in the day.
“It was council’s initiative to offer this to us, and the driver behind that has been the community asking for an event to be held.
“I think this is simply for people who aren’t going away on holidays, but also for members of families who have come back home to visit their loved ones.”
Children are being encouraged to bring their bathers to Maydale, with water activities such as novelty sprinklers on offer. A giant sandpit, merry-go-round and jumping castle will also be part of the mix.
For the adults, jazz band Sands Nom will kick off the live entertainment. Dave McMaster will then take the stage until just after midnight.
“I guess the main feature will be the light show As an environmentally responsible event, and given the hot weather we’ve experiencing, we’ve chosen to make it a light show rather than fireworks. (It also makes sense) from a safety perspective,” Mrs Cross said.
“We have a licensed beer garden and there will be no BYO. We’ve got some food trucks, so if people want to come and have food with us that will be available as well, but definitely no BYO.
“We’re encouraging people to bring a chair and picnic rug as well, and they can even set up their own space.
“If they want to come down in the afternoon with their tables and umbrellas and make their own party they’re welcome to do that, but as I said we’ll have tables and chairs set up for the majority of people who come.”
Plenty of people are expected to attend, but Mrs Cross said they would cap entries at 500 people, not including children.
The weather is predicted to be perfect for the event, with a top of 31 degrees expected just before 4pm on December 31.
Temperatures are expected to be around 19 degrees at midnight.
Other New Year’s event in the Wimmera
Horsham
New Years Celebration at Coughlin Park from 7:30pm. Supper provided and a live band. Tickets $15pp.
New Year’s Eve at Horsham RSL: Two-course meal and show by The Fabulous F’Tasse’s from 6:30pm. Tickets $45 per person, includes 2 course meal & the show. Payment must be made with the booking.
Hopetoun
New Year’s Eve at Lake Lascelles from 6:30pm. There will be a jumping castle for the kids, and live music with “Johnny Thunder And The Lightnings” playing from 8.30pm. Food and drink also available, no BYO and no RSVP necessary.
Edenhope
New Year’s Eve at Edenhope Golf Club from 6:30pm. Kids entertainment, live music, sausage sizzle and lots more!
Brim
New Year’s Eve at Reddas Park from 6pm. Gladiator Ring, Jumping Castle and face painting, along with live entertainment from Jeff Woodward and Darren Wardle. Gold coin donation upon entry.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
