She said in addition to gradually incorporating more events into the festival, the committee had also been changing the atmosphere of its night street party by adding more interactive displays and activities across the years.
“We’ve progressively moved from having mainly static displays to them being interactive, so you really can’t walk along without getting involved in something,” she said.
“We’ve always wanted to revitalise the CBD, and the only way to do that or revitalise an environment in general is to bring in the people. So, we need events, music and activity that is going to do that.
“People need people. You only need to look at the community street piano – it’s amazing. It creates atmosphere when people are playing on it and a different feeling for the people walking by.”
As part of this transition, Mrs Bell said Friday night’s festival from 6pm would include live music, singalongs with Horsham Arts Council’s Mamma Mia cast, children’s entertainer and ‘bubble man’ Mr Oopy, a ‘Game On!’ gaming event with headspace Horsham and traditional amusement rides.
“Some of the schools from the area will also bring their human-powered vehicles down,” she said.
Mrs Bell said Saturday would feature footpath trading, sand-sculpting workshops with world-renowned sand sculptor Dennis Massoud and the 20th annual Salvos Charity and Toy Ride in the morning.
She said this would be followed by Horsham Aquatic Centre’s monster inflatable pool party from midday to 3pm, and a Horsham Lanes and Games family night event of ten-pin bowling.
Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation’s The Great Wimmera River Duck Race, which involves 2000 plastic ducks racing across the river, will also return on Sunday from 4pm.
“We’re on a mission in town to bring events together into a festival, in a way where events complement each other,” Mrs Bell said.
She said Firebrace Street would be closed from 5pm on Friday for set up of the street party, adding people needed to remove their cars from the street before 5pm.
She said some car parks would also be unavailable on Thursday for preparation of larger rides.
The entire November 27, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire November 27, 2019 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
