DROUIN // A JOLLY man in a red suit was not the only unusual sight in Drouin earlier this month.
Above: Father Christmas enlisted the help of the Drouin CFA to tour the town and greet his fans. Photos by William PJ Kulich.
Hundreds of people flocked to the town’s CBD for the annual Drouin Lights Up for Christmas festival, which has been on the town’s calendar since the start of the decade.
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The festival serves two purposes: bringing the community together and increasing patronage at local shops. Face painting stalls and other attractions were set up outside participating stores and many shopfronts sported festive decorations.
This year’s efforts worked, according to organiser Rhonda Despetovich.
“This year’s festival is much bigger,” she told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
“Good weather brings them out and everyone seems very happy and festive.
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“We’ve really pushed and hoped the business owners will get on board and just be festive. Get out there, get back to the public after supporting us all year long.”
Above: Scarlet and Sophie joined dark knights Ned and Jack on their patrol of the festivities.
Organisers doubled the number of attractions this year to reduce the enormous lines for face painting, the petting zoo and jumping castle of last year. It was just as well.
“All the events are just huge with people. [Doubling the attractions has] been quite successful,” Ms Despetovich said.
Funds raised on the day will go toward next year’s festival.
Above: Artists Oliver and Sebastian show off the masterpieces they created at the Festival Lane painting station.
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Above: Lizzie dressed in a fetching santa hat and glittery tinsel boa to meet her subjects on Princes Way.