Christmas carolers have gone the way of sleigh rides: old traditions rarely experienced anymore.

Now days, holiday music is as close as a turn of the radio dial or by walking into a coffee shop.

Traditional live Christmas caroling is harder to stumble upon.

The annual Sleigh Bells Caroling Competition will take place at 1 p.m. on Dec. 11 in downtown Poulsbo. Organizer Carol Ostheller started this event four years ago after learning of a similar successful event in Seattle. The goal of the caroling competition is to spread holiday cheer while raising money for the North Kitsap Fishline food bank.

“It doesn’t matter how well you sing, it matters how much money is brought in for the food bank,” Ostheller said.

That being said, impressive sounding groups like the Kitsap Carolers and the Kitsap Chordsmen are on slate to appear this year. The competition is open to anyone, not just formal chorus groups. Families, neighbors and offices are encouraged to participate.

Last year, 10 caroling teams raised a total of $2,000. Ostheller wants to grow the program and raise more funds. “This model works so well in Seattle, but it hasn’t caught on as well here yet,” she said.

The Fa-La-La-ing begins at 1 p.m. with the various caroling groups performing for an hour along Front Street. At 2 p.m. the festivities move to the Kvelstad Pavilion at waterfront park. A brass band will perform and all competing groups will be allowed to sing one more song.

Due to recent back surgery, Ostheller is coordinating the details of this year’s competition from home.

“I’m flat out in bed this year,” she said. “But it keeps me busy.”