The bloke in the red suit was a little bit frightening though the two-year-old soon got into the swing again at last night’s Wodonga Carols by Candlelight at Willow Park.

Patrick was there with his mum and dad, Hayley Grant and Brendan Robb, of Wod-onga, and several family members.

Organiser Lindsay Hanchett was delighted with last night’s event, which attracted more than 5000 people.

The figure was above expectations, certainly after a couple of days of leaden skies and Saturday’s rain.

“The sun even managed to come out at one stage,” Mr Hanchett said.

Ms Grant said the carols was a regular event for her family.

“I’ve never taken my little boy because it’s rained the past couple of years,” she said.

“We thought it would be nice to go as a family and have dinner and then listen to the carols.”

Ms Grant said Patrick loved the singing, “though he was a little bit scared of Santa”.

“But he got up and had a dance and played with other little kids,” she said.

Bandiana’s Belinda Dobson was there with her husband, Dean, and son, Lennon, who is just four months.

“It’s been fabulous,” she said.

“We always just enjoy the music and the fact I can sing in public without getting locked up.”

Mrs Dobson said the carols was a Christmas tradition that they made a point of attending every year.

“It was nice to bring my little one because I came to my first when I was about four — that would have been about 1984 and I remember Rolf Harris was here.”

Mr Hanchett said next year’s event was already booked for December 22.