Following on from news that Ballarat would be receiving a dose of 50s nostalgia next year, with the launch of the inaugural Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival in February, 2013 – expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors.
Now, the New South Wales city of Port Macquarie is set to rock by taking their love of the Fab Four to a whole new level.
As the Port Macquarie News reports, next year will see the region’s first ever festival celebrating the world’s best known band, The Beatles, in what they hope will become an annual event.
Proposed to take place over the first three days of March, (just ahead of the national tour from Ringo Starr) planning for the festival has begun 50 years after the release of the band’s first big hit, “Love Me Do”.
Port Macquarie’s council has been approving ideas for the event which orgnisers envisage as a similar event to the neighbouring city of Parkes’ Elvis Festival.“It’s going to be a fun weekend of nostalgia with lots of local bands and entertainment, street parades, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, markets and more.” – Janette Hyde, Festival Organiser
Janette Hyde, a member of the event committee hopes it will gain a reputation much like Tasting on Hastings, the city’s main food and wine show which takes place every year in October.
“It’s going to be a fun weekend of nostalgia with lots of local bands and entertainment, street parades, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, markets and more,” Hyde said.
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Who knows? You may even be able to nab some of that super-rare Beatles recordings from the local collectors and stalls? The gathering of Beatlemaniacs would also present a perfect opportunity to film a contribution to the upcoming fan-made Beatles documentary.
The idea for the festival was conceived after conversations former Port Macquarie-Hastings administrator Neil Porter had with the organisers of the rival Parkes Elvis Festival, a five day event which runs every year in January celebrating the legacy of The King.
Much like its rival, The Beatles event will include a show by Beatles cover bands, including The Beatnix at Laurieton United Services Club. There will also be a vintage car display at Westport Park and The Beatnix will play again at Port Macquarie Panthers Club.
The final day will also see a street parade up Horton Street ending at the Town Green, where there will be activities for kids including jumping castles, as well as market stalls and performances that are set to rock the stage throughout the day.
“The local bands will play music from the ‘60s and ‘70s”, said Mrs Hyde, “and rock ‘n’ roll dancers will encourage everyone to get up and dance the afternoon away.”
The Beatles Festival is the latest in a string of major music events that have sprung up in regional parts of Australia lately, including the recent announcement of the inaugural Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival, which similarly is a mix of music, fashion shows, and a chance to show off vintage cars down the main street.
Elsewhere, Denilquin in NSW is getting the brand new Deni Blues & Roots Festival next March, courtesy of Chugg Entertainment, with Santana and Steve Miller Band topping the bill; and Grinspoon, Birds of Tokyo, Regurgitator and more are set to rock a new music festival at Queensland’s famous tourist attraction, The Big Pineapple.
Then there’s the seaside town of Warrnambool, whose community organisers have sought consultation from a former organiser for the Tamworth Country Music Festival to aid in putting together a new annual music festival; while Geelong Mayor Keith Fagg is seeking support in eyeing a similar annual event in his prefecture.
The inaugural Port Macquarie Beatles Festival takes place from March 1st-3rd and promises to be a weekend of cozy nostalgia and familiar tunes.
