HORSHAM will transform into a wonderland of colour and sound as the city's annual Kannamaroo Festival starts on Friday.
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The annual event will celebrate the best of Horsham with music, markets and magic from Firebrace Street to the Wimmera River this weekend.
Chairwoman Di Bell said the event was all about people having a fun and relaxed time with family and enjoying the best of Horsham.
"It's a free event, so people can just come along, see what's happening and only pay for the things they want," she said.
Mrs Bell reminded people that all cars needed to move from Firebrace Street by 5pm to allow for a quick set-up of street stalls.
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Mrs Bell said new additions to this year's festival included Sand in Your Eyes master sculptor Dennis Massoud, who will create a fire-breathing dragon out of sand from 3.30pm on Friday.
He will also run a workshop from 9am until noon in Roberts Place on Saturday at the cost of $10.
Mrs Bell said the streets would come alive on Friday night, with an emphasis on having music and performance in every block.
"Each block will have something different - from amusements, to demonstrations and performances," she said.
Attractions include the Scouts, who will have billy carts; Headspace with video games for people to play; Horsham West primary school's human powered vehicles; and 3HHH who will broadcast live from the event.
There will also be a bungy jump, petting zoo, bubble man, the Horsham Rockers and hot rod cars.
"Santa will also journey through the street about 7pm," Mrs Bell said.
The festival continues across the weekend with market stalls, buskers and the Salvation Army Christmas toy run on Saturday morning, followed by the YMCA Monster inflatable pool party from noon.
The Kannamaroo Gift is on Sunday at 9am, before Horsham City Rowing Club demonstrations on the Wimmera River at 10am and the Great Duck Race at 4pm.
This year Kannamaroo coincides with Horsham's Carols by Candlelight which will round out the festivities, complete with fireworks.
Mrs Bell thanked everyone who supported Kannamaroo - especially the people behind the scenes who made it happen.
She said Kannamaroo committee member Kevin Dellar will mark 40 years with the event this year.
"When I walk out onto the street at 6pm on Friday and see kids smiling and enjoying themselves, that's my payment," she said.
More events for your diary
Saturday
Karl S. Williams performs at Scissors Paper Rock Brew Co. in Halls Gap from 7.30pm. Free.
Sunday
Wimmera Lives Matter hosts its first Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Walk to remember loved ones lost to suicide and connect with community. From Horsham's Sawyer Park to Adventure Island at 8am.
Horsham's Holy Trinity Lutheran College's inaugural art exhibition Framed from 9am at the school church hall. Free.
Bushfire Benefit Day at Horsham's Royal Hotel with performances from 2pm until 6pm. Donations at event.
Yarriambiack Has Talent from 12.30pm until 4pm at Warracknabeal Town Hall. Free.
Horsham Carols by Candlelight in Sawyer Park with special guest artist Silvie Paladino. From 5.30pm for food and drinks with music from 7.30pm. Free.
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