Snow and plenty of it, is set to fall on Stawell on Friday, July 24 as StawellBiz presents the Stawell Snowfest.

Snowfest will be conducted over three big days, transforming Stawell into a wonderland of winter activities, but the Friday night will be the main event on the program.

The major attraction will be the snow making machines, which will see realistic snow fall on Main Street on the Friday night only.

Other attractions will include snowman building areas, ice scuplting by a professional, horse and cart rides, roasted chestnuts and hot jam donuts, late night shopping, a jumping castle and face painting for the children.

Main Street will be closed to traffic for the event between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, July 24. Activities will begin at around 2pm that day.

StawellBiz member, David Kaczynski, said he was delighted the organisation was able to bring such an event to Stawell and he urged all businesses and members of the community to take part.

``We are very excited about Snowfest. Not many people in our area can say they have seen or touched real snow and we are making this possible,'' Mr Kaczynski said.

``It will be great to see snow in the Main Street and even better to see the community out in force supporting the businesses and making the most of the atmosphere.''

Snowfest is one of many initiatives StawellBiz will be planning over the next 12 months in an attempt to boost Stawell's profile and promote shopping locally.

StawellBiz is encouraging businesses to embrace the Snowfest spirit by decorating their shop windows in the theme of all things winter.

All schools from the Stawell and surrounding areas will be participating, supplying artwork which Mr Kaczynski said he hoped will be displayed in the shop windows.

Business operators are urged to have their shop windows decorated by July 20, leading up to Snowfest.

Saturday trading will remain as normal and there will be no need for businesses to open on the Sunday. The only impact on businesses will be late night shopping on the Friday.