As summer 2014 continues to heat up, so too does the festival season in Melbourne’s north.
Road trippers will take to the freeways each weekend this month as townsfolk across the region gear up to showcase their community strength and culture through the likes of the Whittlesea Country Music Festival, the Craigieburn Festival and the Laurimar Town Festival.
Country music lovers won’t be disappointed this year, says Whittlesea Country Music Festival vice-president David Watson. “To satisfy the diehard country music fans there’s a dedicated country music stage. Ross Wilson tore the place apart last year. We’re trying to do the same thing this year with Glenn Shorrock.”
For a handful of the performers, set to take to the stage this weekend, the festival comes off the back of performances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Following the success of last year’s first one-day-only event, the Whittlesea festa will follow a similar format this year.
“We never recovered from the bushfires,” said Mr Watson. “We were forced to revamp it into a one-day festival and it turned out to be our most successful.”
The festival kicks off with a party at the Whittlesea Bowls Club on Friday, with the festival proper being held on Saturday and featuring a street party, multiple stages and a twilight concert.
The Craigieburn Festival, on February 22-23, and the Laurimar Town Fair, on February 15, are both set to lift community spirits.
For the first time, the annual Craigieburn Festival will include a kite display and workshop, as well as the usual CFA Torchlight Parade, the Craigieburn Art Show, carnival rides, food and market stalls, entertainment and a fireworks display.
Organisers of the Laurimar Town Fair, held each year at Laurimar Primary School, Doreen, are hoping to beat last year’s turnout of 10,000-plus visitors.
This year’s fair will also feature a classic car show. But the idea behind the fair is to raise money for the school, says organiser Michelle McBean.
