REHEARSALS are well underway for the annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight to be held in the Hamilton Botanic Gardens on December 13.

Voices from the community with beautiful harmonies will take to the stage in front of the rotunda kicking off at 8pm for Hamilton’s feature Christmas event.

Entry is free and there will be Christmas-themed kids’ activities consisting of games and Christmas crafts from 6.30pm for an hour.

There will be a sausage sizzle and cold drinks available for a gold coin donation.

All profits raised from the sausage sizzle and the sale of candles and glow sticks will go to support Standing Tall in Hamilton.

Generously supported by the Southern Grampians Shire Council, the musical festivities promise all your old favourite Christmas Carols performed by an ensemble from Hamilton’s churches.

Carols by Candlelight conductor and Presbyterian minister, David Schulz said rehearsals had been underway since October.

He said it promised to be a musical marvel with lots of local talent on display.

“I’m amazed at the talent in Hamilton,” Mr Schulz said.

“It’s just a community choir with amateur singers, but there’s some real talent there – and they’re all enthusiastic and looking forward to the carols’ night – they’re all volunteers – it’s very encouraging and heartwarming to see the response to celebrating the birth of Christ.

“It’s a family community event to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Christ, glory to God in highest – peace and goodwill to men.”

Should the weather turn, the event will be held in the Peace Memorial Hall at the Presbyterian Church in McIntyre Street, Hamilton.

Mr Schulz said it would be great to have a show of support from the community.

“We hope to see lots of people there next Friday night,” he said.