THE Portland Christmas Carols are back.

Weather permitting, of course, but the popular annual event is set to run for the first time since 2019 on the foreshore near the skate park on Sunday, December 11, from 5.30pm to about 7.30pm.

It is, as always, organised by the Portland Heywood Ministers Association and will feature most of the old favourites.

Father Greg Tait of All Saints Catholic Church said six local schools had indicated they would have choirs performing at the event, which will kick off with a half-hour of carols by the Portland Citizens’ Brass Band.

The Portland Community Choir and band would also be featured, while there would also be a barbecue and Rotary Club of Portland Bay coffee van in attendance.

Mayor Scott Martin would give the welcome address with the event to be MCed by former Bayview College student Ben Hockley.

There would be a collection on the night for the Christmas Bowl appeal while the food and coffee stalls would be fundraisers for the Scripture Union and Rotary.

“We don’t have commercial operators there,” Fr Tait said.

“The big thing is we haven’t had this since 2019 (due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions).”

The event was made possible with sponsorship from Glenelg Shire Council, Tutt Bryant Hire, the Uniting Church op shop and Davis Print, with South West Productions providing the sound.

Community radio station 3RPC would be broadcasting the event as usual and if the weather turns wet on the day, forcing a cancellation, that would also be notified over the radio.