On the Sunday before Christmas, families and groups of friends converged on Sandy Bay’s Sandown Park for an evening of Christmas Carols and family entertainment.
During a particularly cool and damp December, the Hobart community were blessed with a calm, warm night for which to enjoy their annual carols concert. With an audience of over 10,000, the evening has been deemed the most successful Carols since the event moved from St David’s Park.
The presence of Jay Laga’aia proved to be a fantastic Christmas present for the audience. Jay started to concert with a special performance especially for the children in attendance. Jay, a popular Play School host, accompanied himself on guitar and ukulele and had young children up and their feet, singing along to favourites like Teddy Bear and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. He then returned at the end of the evening’s program with the backing of the Class Act Choir.
However, it was the people of Hobart who made the evening what it was. Local Choirs performed beautiful arrangements backed by the Carols by the Bay Orchestra and local dance groups brought the magic of the theatre to the outdoor stage.
Local performers involved included Class Act and Class Act Music Theatre, The Choir of High Hopes, Arabella Wain & Lillie Rose, the Ogilvie Concert Choir and Amali Ward (now of Sydney). The concert also featured compering by John X and Cassie Le Fevre. John X featured as an Ambassador for Variety – the Children’s Charity, who are partners with Hobart City Council in presenting the event. Variety benefit from the sale of programs and other merchandise on the night.
To ensure the event is accessible to all, Hobart City Council has been working on a number of initiatives. For the first time, the video screens used to project the on-stage action to those in the rear of the crowd, were also used to display the lyrics of the evenings Carols program. The event also featured matting over grass for easier movement of wheelchairs and large print programs for sale.
Planning for the 2009 Carols by the Bay has already commenced. This year will be a particularly special production, celebrating the 60th year of Carols in Hobart.
The nominated charity for Carols by the Bay is 
Variety works 365 days a year for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the state. In the past few years they have provided more than $400,000 to worthy causes for children. This includes providing funding for children’s wings of hospitals, Sunshine Coaches and Liberty swings. Variety Tasmania is funded solely through donations.
Variety sells Carols programs, candles, and a great range of merchandise on the night. All proceeds from these sales go directly to furthering Variety Tasmania’s good work.
For more information about Variety please visit http://www.varietytas.org.au.
Inclement weather – The event has never been cancelled and will proceed in all weather. Please prepare for all conditions – sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, warm clothing or an umbrella could be required.
Information – please ask security or event personnel if you need to locate a specific area or service.
Chairs - while patrons are permitted to bring chairs into the main concert venue, these can only be used in the designated "chair zone". While these will be permitted there they must not impede movement or restrict the vision of those behind.
Umbrellas and Shelter Structures - shade covers, large umbrellas and weather shelter structures will not be permitted anywhere within the event site.
Accessible seating - an Accessible Seating / Viewing area will be available at the venue on the night.
Toilet facilities - additional toilet facilities will be located near the existing park toilets, opposite the main concert venue. An accessible toilet is located next to the St John Ambulance vehicle opposite the main concert venue.
Emergency - if you become aware of a medical or other emergency please contact the nearest Tasmania Police, State Emergency Service, security or event personnel. Please follow all of their instructions.
First Aid - St John Ambulance will be on site opposite the main concert venue.
Lost Children and Lost Property – an announcement will be made at the start of the concert detailing this service. Lost children or property may be collected from the St Johns Ambulance station located opposite the main concert area. The Council strongly urges all individuals and families to take all the regular precautions, particularly in relation to the safety of children.
Food and Beverages - light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available opposite the main concert area. Also please support the local cafés and restaurants open in Beach Road and Sandy Bay Road.
Please note: as a condition of entry, patrons bags may be subject to inspection.
There will be very limited parking in the Sandown Park area. Hobart City Council Parking and Information Officers will patrol the Nutgrove Avenue, Beechworth Road, Heathorn Avenue and Elma Road area will be patrolled by to ensure parking restrictions are observed.
Visit back to this site closer to the event for details of FREE parking in the Hobart CBD.
Visit back to this site closer to the event for details of Metro Services for Carols by the Bay.
Visit back to this site closer to the event for details of Road Closures in the area.
Your feedback is highly appreciated. Please email your comments to the Council’s Event Co-ordinator by email: freer@hobartcity.com.au or post to:
Event Co-ordinator
Carols by the Bay
Hobart City Council
GPO Box 503
HOBART 7000
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