![AWAY IN A MANGER: Sisters, Emily Staunton-Latimer and Stacee Bell with Saige Bell, 10 weeks. AWAY IN A MANGER: Sisters, Emily Staunton-Latimer and Stacee Bell with Saige Bell, 10 weeks.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/f218a825-cc7f-47fc-90cd-1ff947f89fc0.jpg/r0_0_4943_3295_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Christmas joy was shared from a distance at the 2020 Walla Walla community carols.
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The event has run since the 1950s and even a global pandemic wasn't going to stop the Walla Walla Lutheran Parish.
Four COVID-19 check-in stations were set up at the town's sportsground to record details of attendees.
Hand sanitiser and QR Codes linking to ServiceNSW replaced plastic candles.
But the crowd of more than 100 were able to sing along to the program with restrictions having been eased last Monday.
Pastor Dan Mueller said it was special to have their event go ahead when many, like the Wodonga and Albury carols, were not.
"I know that Henty is having theirs next week, they're still going ahead," he said.
"We usually get 100, 150 - it's not the thousands at Albury, but we like to hold it every year.
![ANNUAL: Luke Driver with his son, Murray, 3, have attended the event with the family for many years. ANNUAL: Luke Driver with his son, Murray, 3, have attended the event with the family for many years.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/553cbca0-97e1-4f0b-98fc-7ff55c2c43e3.jpg/r0_521_5101_3400_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We didn't know what to do; we held off deciding what we would do and were in consultation with the council, looking at the NSW government guidelines.
"We went ahead, hoping it would happen, and then recently we've had a big easing in the restrictions which makes planning a lot easier.
![Come all Ye Faithful, but please, keep your distance this year Come all Ye Faithful, but please, keep your distance this year](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/763ae085-74e6-4838-8ec1-445441c911ea.jpg/r0_270_5184_3186_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We're very thankful we can participate, and the NSW government recommend face masks so we have those available if people want them."
Pastor Mueller, who has recorded YouTube videos for parishioners during lockdowns this year, said all were happy to comply with the infection control measures.
"It's not strange anymore - people are accustomed to it," he said.
"They have the ServiceNSW app on their home from going to the pub and checking in."
Luke Driver, who attended with his family, agreed that it was becoming commonplace.
"It's just what you're having to do now," he said.
![FAMILY: Cian O hEarcain, 7, Sinead Ni hEarcain, 11 and Fintan O hEarcain, 5, at Walla. Pictures: JAMES WILTSHIRE FAMILY: Cian O hEarcain, 7, Sinead Ni hEarcain, 11 and Fintan O hEarcain, 5, at Walla. Pictures: JAMES WILTSHIRE](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/a19e32bb-16f7-4d6d-91a8-16d1c8a2f4d1.jpg/r0_0_4739_3159_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Driver family attend the Walla Carols by Candlelight every year, which usually involves a barbecue.
As organisers were not allowed to hand anything out, attendees brought their own food.
"We've had to navigate some changes this year, keeping up with requirements," Pastor Mueller said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"I think generally people are happy to do what we can to help others."
The Walla community enjoyed 13 carols and bible readings at the Sunday night event.