By Parker McKenzie
Anyone taking a walk through Upwey Main Street over the weekend would have seen the festive spirit come to life in the second annual Light Up Upwey event.
Local traders were encouraged to decorate their shop fronts with creativity to help make the community more aware of the village.
Andrew Peterson from Upwey Community Group said the event was organised this year with the help of Yarra Ranges Council and Bendigo Community Bank.
“Under the auspices of the Upwey Community Group the event was able to reach new heights,” Mr Peterson said.
“Light Up Upwey 2021 was a huge success with extra involvement from landmarks such as the CFA and the RSL.”
The event was started in 2020 by local couple Hilary and Justin Harrison when they thought the town needed a fun and cheerful event after a difficult year of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
The couple invited all Upwey Main Street traders to join the project by lighting up and dressing up their shop front in any way they choose.
Prizes were handed out to the best decorated shops, with Ward and Wylie Florist winning first place with a winter wonderland theme.
The prizes consisted of a hamper with $150 worth of goods, a small monetary prize, vouchers and trophies.
“It demonstrated what a great town we all have here in Upwey to be able to come together through such testing times, so imagine how great it will be again in 2022.” Mr Peterson said.
Silhouette Grooming and Pet Supplies won second place with their Australian Christmas, Evolutions Wholefoods finished 3rd with their gingerbread house and Café Have Ya Bean won the community favourite award with a recreation of the movie Frozen.
