113. VACCA Xmas Event Wangaratta 2025

🎄 VACCA Christmas Event — Barr Reserve Pool, Wangaratta

11 December 2025 | 4:00–7:00 pm

On Wednesday 11 December 2025, Mermaidia Braids had the pleasure of attending the VACCA Christmas Event at Barr Reserve Pool in Wangaratta, running from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

This event had all the ingredients of a perfect summer celebration — water play, laughter, families coming together and a strong sense of community to wrap up the year.

☀️ Weather

The afternoon delivered classic December weather — warm, bright and ideal for a poolside event. As the sun lowered toward the horizon, the temperature eased slightly, making it comfortable for both swimmers and those relaxing poolside.

The golden light across the reserve added a beautiful glow to the space and made the whole event feel relaxed and festive.

🚚 Arrival & Setup

We arrived with Bubbles and set up alongside the pool, with our Mermaidia Braids marquee quickly adding colour to the Barr Reserve grounds. The braid wall caught attention almost immediately, with kids spotting their favourite colours before they’d even finished drying off.

Being positioned near the pool made the event feel dynamic and fun, with children moving between swimming, activities and braids throughout the afternoon.

👥 Team

Michelle and Michael attended together, working steadily and calmly through the event. From setting up and welcoming families to braiding, chatting and packing down, it was a smooth and enjoyable afternoon that flowed easily.

Having space to pause between clients and watch the kids enjoy themselves in the water made the experience even more special.

🌊 Atmosphere

The Barr Reserve Pool created the perfect backdrop for a Christmas celebration. Kids laughed, splashed and played while families gathered nearby, chatting and enjoying the space.

The atmosphere was relaxed and inclusive — the kind of event where no one felt rushed and everyone felt welcome. The VACCA team once again created a safe, supportive and joyful environment for families to simply be together.

💬 Comments & Connections

One of the highlights was seeing kids come back after swimming, towels wrapped around their shoulders, excited to choose braid colours and styles. Some returned later proudly showing off their hair to friends, siblings and parents.

There were so many lovely conversations throughout the afternoon — moments of connection that remind us how important these community events really are.

💇‍♀️ Braids & Sparkles

From neat festival braids to colourful, playful styles perfect for summer, the braiding chairs stayed busy. Blues, pastels and natural tones were popular, with sparkles catching the late-afternoon sun.

Each child left with a smile — and often a little extra confidence to go with their new look.

❤️ Final Thoughts

The VACCA Christmas Event at Barr Reserve Pool was a beautiful way to celebrate the end of the year — relaxed, joyful and centred around family and community.

We’re incredibly grateful to VACCA for inviting us along and for the important work you do supporting children and families. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a smile or trusted us with their hair.

This was a truly special afternoon in our own local community — and one we’ll remember fondly.