THE big top has taken shape in the centre of Newman Street's Avian Park, and the final touches are being added in preparation for Saturday night's Project 365 show, 'Bringing Light to the Dark'.

Saturday's event in Wangaratta will be the third iteration of the local mental health initiative's live performances by its band, U Can Cry, which aim to promote the message 'It's okay not to be okay', and to encourage important conversations.

Supported by a host of 'believers', Project 365 uses its music-centred events as a catalyst to reduce stigma around mental health issues, allowing those struggling to develop the courage to speak up and seek help, and for stories to be told, and supporters to listen.

The setlist for Saturday's show - which follows others staged in 2022 and 2023 - has been honed over the past year by the band of local singers and musicians.

Also among the features of the night will be a collaboration with Goldrush Ballooning to create an immersive experience, complete with live music, food, drinks, amid the glow of six hot air balloons.

Another important aspect will be the announcement of funding from Project 365's last show, 'The Ripple Effect', going to Big Brothers Big Sisters Wangaratta to continue its great work in the district, and to local partners leading the planned mental health first aid scholarship program initiated through Project 365.

The money from Project 365 gigs is held in a sub-fund with the Into Our Hands Community Foundation, an organisation geared towards helping local communities.

Caz Sammon, Big Brothers Big Sisters Wangaratta mentoring coordinator, said Project 365's shows were "more than just a gig".

"There are so many benefits - it's not just about fundraising," she said.

"It's about connections being made through harnessing the power of music to create wellbeing."

Caz said assistance provided through support such as that from Project 365 was vital to groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"Without support like this, the program wouldn't continue in Wangaratta," she said.

"We don't receive government funding, so support like this is what allows us to do what we do; there is no other way."

Like Project 365, Caz said Big Brothers Big Sisters was "life-changing" for many locals.

"Some of our mentors are the only stable supporting adult in their young person's life," she said.

"I can't even tell you the difference that makes; it is literally life-changing, and creates a safe place for these young people to be."

Caz said the Wangaratta program had a significant waiting list, and just as the Project 365 funding meant a lot to the local group, so too did the opportunity to raise its profile.

"This assistance will also help raise the profile of Big Brothers Big Sisters to hopefully attract new mentors to be stable supporting adults for our young people," she said.

Gates at Avian Park will open at 4.30pm on Saturday for Project 365's 'Bringing Light to the Dark' show, which promises bigger songs under a bigger tent, and on an even bigger stage.

To book your tickets, visit https://events.humanitix.com/project-365-wangaratta