Bringing Joy to the Hills

The CHRISTMAS SPIRIT will be shining brightly as the seventh Christmas in the Hills celebration unfolds at Bella Vista Park Farm on Wednesday, December 12 from 4pm.

There will be a packed program of family fun, including community carols, a petting zoo and amusement rides.  Santa will drop in for a visit and of course fireworks will bring a sparkling end to the night at 9pm.

Broadcaster and author Leigh Hatcher is MC for the evening which will feature performances by singers from Sister2Sister as well as David Sanders and Cassidy-Rae Wilson plus dancers from Tania’s Strictly Dancing, Capers School of Performing Arts, The Hills Dance Factory and Kidz in the Biz.

As well as enjoying amusement rides children, will have the opportunity to see The Mounted police and displays by the Hills Police Area Command, The Hills SES and the Rural Fire Service.

There will also be plenty of food trucks and coffee carts to fuel hungry tummies.

St Pauls Anglican Church at Castle Hill and Wesley Uniting Church at Castle Hill are helping run the carols by candlelight which follows the kids’ friendly entertainment and starts at 7pm. The 49-piece orchestra and choir have been specially formed for the night.

The crowds were so large at last year’s event that it’s been moved to a bigger space at Bella Vista Farm Park to accommodate more families.

This year, Christmas in the Hills is supporting three local organisations working with young people in the

Hills: Foster Care Angels, Learning Links and Hills Community Aid.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said: “Amidst the frantic shopping, planning and decorating it’s important to stop and remember why we celebrate this holiday – and Christmas in The Hills is the perfect occasion to do just that.

“Christmas in The Hills is a wonderful time to come together with family and friends, enjoy a memorable night and dig deep for a wonderful cause.

“This year, money will be donated to Foster Care Angels, Learning Link and Hills Community Aid. These incredible charities provide essential services to our most vulnerable, ensuring they don’t fall through the cracks,” Mayor Byrne added.

Chairman of the community organising committee Peter Spencer said: “Christmas in The Hills is the community event that everyone is talking about this year after the huge success of 2017. We’ve moved the Christmas celebrations to a larger area within Bella Vista Farm for 2018 and can now comfortably accommodate the 8000 people we anticipate will be rushing through the gates to enjoy the festivities on Wednesday, December 12.”

Hills Shire Council is a Platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors are: Castle Towers, Young Living Essential Oils, Castle Hill RSL, Endeavour Early Education, Valvoline, Baptist Care.

Castle Towers Centre Manager, Eddie Paynter, said that Castle Towers was honoured to have played a part in Christmas in the Hills for the past seven years and had witnessed the community spirit grow every year.

“Christmas in the Hills brings the community together for a night of family fun in support of very worthy local charities and community aid groups, and the outpouring of support is something TheHills should be extremely proud of,” he said.

Tickets are $8 and can be purchased from the Christmas in The Hills website, www.christmasinthehills.com.au.

WHEN: Wednesday, 12 December;

TIME:Gates open at 4 PM – 9 PM;

VENUE: Bella Vista Farm.

CHARITIES: Foster Care Angels: website: fostercareangels.org.au

Learning Links: website: learninglinks.org.au

Hills Community Aid: website hca.org.au